Topic: Molineaux, Webb & Co, Manchester, Bowl for show

[Stuart71]

I found this last week and thought it might be of interest to the board. I've tried to photograph the lozenge as best I can, it reads from midnight clockwise as I, H, G, 12 and gives a registration on 1/2/1869. It's quite an impressive piece at 12" diameter.

Thanks for looking

[David E]

Forgot the photos? I still had them so have posted them...

[Stuart71]

Thanks David, I was just about to try again so you've saved me the torture of having to use my laptop!

[agincourt17]

Thank you for these postings.

The bowl is from Molineaux, Webb & Co.’s RD 226916 of 1 February 1869, and there is another example shown on
https://sites.google.com/site/molwebbhistory/Home/registered-designs/molineaux-webb-designs-by-date/molineaux-webb-1869

Fred.

[David E]

I haven't seen this (yet) but it does have a remarkably modern appearance and the waved rim just makes the mould design even trickier, so it would have been a quality piece for the day. Coming up for 150 years old makes it even more surprising.

[Stuart71]

Thanks David and Fred for your help with this.

It's made itself at home on my coffee table, at least until the next find comes along.....

[Paul S.]

can't remember if I've posted the Kew image previously  -  since Fred hasn't mentioned as such, then maybe not...........   anyway it's now attached, but if I have doubled up then just delete.
Would agree it's somehow a more modern looking design than so many of its contemporaries - perhaps it's the nod towards modernism.
Whether this one is that old I've no idea  -  were M.W. moulds used for a short period only, or did they see use over a long period?

[agincourt17]

Thank you for showing the design representation, Paul – I haven’t seen it before.

Superb Victorian draughtsmanship again.

Fred.

[neilh]

Paul, I believe they were still hand pressing from moulds up to the late 1940s, though which moulds is unknown. The moulds apparently gathered dust in some corner of the factory until it was all knocked down in the early 1970s.

[Paul S.]

thanks Neil  -  I'm not really  up on the longevity or otherwise of moulds, but your comments would tie in with some of the very faint diamonds and Rd. Nos. that appear on some pressed pieces  -  it's surprising for how long some moulds were used.