Patterns of the Month: British Themes

Each month we feature a new pattern from our Pattern and Source Print Database and archive them on these pages by category.

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Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom of Coventry

Shown is a 6.5 inch plate titled “Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom of Coventry.” The source print for the pattern is from the “History of Covertry,” which was published in 1852.

Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

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Entrance to the Liverpool & Manchester Railway

Shown is a 4 inch planter in a British Themes Commemorative pattern titled “Entrance to the Liverpool & Manchester Railway.” The maker is unknown. This is a view of the famed Moorish Arch at Edge Hill in Liverpool, built in 1829 as part of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway which opened in 1830. It was the first railway line to carry passengers. The first photo shows the arch, and the second photo shows the train.

Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, see the pattern database.

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Clyde Scenery

Shown is a 13 by 10 inch platter in the “Clyde Scenery” series by John & Job Jackson (1831-1835). The pattern here is “Blythswood House.” In addition to purple, the pattern was printed in blue, black, brown, pink, green and two color. The TCC Database of Patterns and Sources shows 23 patterns in this series.

Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

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The Immortal William Shakespeare

April 2016 is the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Here is a 4 inch mug that features a portrait of Shakespeare above the words that are on his grave; "Good friends for Jesus sake forbear/To dig the dust enclosed here:/Blest be the man that spares these stones/And curst be he that moves my bones." The portrait and words are superimposed on the "Gleaners ii" pattern. The mug dates from around 1820.

Members only: for more information about this pattern and to see other similar patterns, search the Pattern and Source Print Database.

Arms of Newcastle

Shown is an octagonal plate with an heraldic pattern depicting the Arms of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Its motto "Fortiter Defendit Triumphans" ([She] Bravely Defends and Triumphs) honored the brave people of Newcastle in the English Civil War (1642-1651). For more information about this pattern and series, see the pattern and source print database.

"Cowes Harbour"

Shown here is a 6.5 inch plate featuring Cowes Harbour. Cowes Harbour is located in the town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight in Britain. The pattern is part of the large Enoch Wood & Sons Irregular Shell Border Series, ca. 1825. The series is best known for its American Historical views, but includes a few British views. Notice that the title of the scene is printed in the left-hand corner of the center. For more information about this pattern and series, see the pattern and source print database.

"Girl with Calf"

Shown is a 6.25 inch sauce with a pattern known as either "Girl with Calf" or "Girl with Lamb." It was made by John & William Ridgway (1813-1830). This pattern is one of many lovely rural and genre scenes found in the database. For more information about this pattern and series, see the pattern and source print database.

"Shipping Series"

This 19.68 by 14.8 inch platter, known as Night Sea Battle, is from the Shipping Series by an unknown maker. The pattern shows the ships "Blanche" and "La Pique". For more information about this pattern and series, see the pattern and source print database.

"Signing Of Magna Charta" by Jones (& Son) is printed in underglaze black on a 10.12 inch plate. This pattern is one of 16 scenes in the "British History" series. Jones & Son was in business for a short time (1826-1828) and the mark on this plate, Jones only, suggests that the plate was made after this period. For more information about this pattern and series, see the pattern and source print database.

"Enniskerry in County Wicklow, Ireland" from the "Hibernia" series by John Wedge Wood (1841-1860) is found on an 8.12 inch plate. Hibernia is the classical Latin name for Ireland. The pattern is part of a series where each size and shape has a different scene. For more information about this series and for more information about this pattern in particular, see the pattern and source print database.

"The Ladies of Llangollen" circa 1825 pearlware platter printed in underglaze blue. Although this platter is not marked, it was probably made by either the Cambrian (1783-1870) or Glamorgan (1813-1838) potteries, which were in business in Swansea, Wales. According to the Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880, the ladies of the title ran away together in the late 18th century. They lived together in Llangollen, Wales for the next fifty years. Their cottage in Wales (nothing like the castle printed on the pottery) was a mecca for the British literati of the early 19th century. For more information about this interesting pattern, take a look at the pattern in the TCC pattern and source print database

"Clyde Scenery" printed in underglaze pink(red) by John & Job Jackson (1831-1835). The central pattern is different on each size and shape. The river Clyde runs through Glasgow, so that although this is an unidentified view, it is probably easy to research. The pattern is also printed in purple, black, brown, blue and teal green.

Commonly known as "Impatient Child," this pattern is printed on earthenware in yellow-green by an unknown maker. It was probably made in Staffordshire around 1825-1830. The pattern is usually seen in blue.

"Game Keeper" on earthenware in underglaze blue by an unknown maker, possibly Staffordshire, circa 1825. The backstamp features the title printed on a dog collar!

"The Rabbit on the Wall pattern" on earthenware from the "Wilkie's Designs" series in underglaze blue by James & Ralph Clews, Cobridge Works, Cobridge, Staffordshire, circa 1825. There are six other central patterns in this series.
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Find additional patterns and more extensive information in our Patterns and Source Print Database.

See other Patterns of the Month by category:

Advertising	Aesthetic	American	Animals	British Themes	Children's
Chinoiserie	European	Floral	Indian/Oriental	Literature	Miscellaneous	Romantic