Beswick "Venetian" potter jug

I happen to love pitchers & creamers and the like, and I recently bought a Beswick “Venetian” jug on eBay for $9.99 - a total that was less than what it cost the poor seller to ship the darned thing.

It’s 8 ½” tall and marked “780”, with both an impressed MADE IN ENGLAND and black Beswick Ware and MADE IN ENGLAND marks.

Here is the one I purchased:

I am familiar with the Beswick animal & Beatrix Potter figurines, but I’ve never had any other Beswick items, so I’m just a bit curious about what I purchased.

The one shown here:
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-beswick-venetian-jug-designed-245428205
is described as designed by Mr Symcox… with the Beswick printed mark dating between 1940 / 1954.

The coloring on this Worthpoint example is far lighter, less muddy, and less defined than that on the one I bought.

p.32 from this site: https://issuu.com/francisjoseph/docs/beswick_2014_price_guide
indicates that model 780 was designed in 1939.

I’m just wondering if anyone else knows any more than what I’ve found about my new “jug”. I guess I’m most curious about confirming the approximate age (c.1940?) and understanding the coloration differences.

Thanks very much!

-C-

 

I bought two little Beswick animals recently - a koala and a kitten. They probably wouldn't sell for much, but I only paid about US$0.25 each so I'm not even out a cup of Mickey D's coffee if they don't. Most pottery isn't bringing what it did these days.

 

Thanks, Davey and Evelyb. I appreciate your replies.

 

Beswick still sells well if it's an animal with an unusual colour. Not 1940s, this, pottery factories were making war related stuff. I'd think early 50s from the colour.

 

Ruth, put some photos up of the animals if you would. You might be surprised.

 

I love it.....very pretty....love the colors!!!!

 

Thanks for your input, Owned & Aquitaine - much appreciated!

 

One more thing. The design is a copy of classic sgraffito Italian pottery from the 50s onwards. Hence Venetian, I guess.

 

Thanks, Owned!

 

I generally don't get that lucky, but I'll post them in my own thread later.

 

Well, I found something on Google Books UK that may add to the possible dating of my jug. I'm back to thinking it may indeed be early 1940's. I know that in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

from Google Books UK: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ip7vCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT36&lpg=PT36&dq=beswick+venetian+pottery+-ebay&source=bl&ots=dVKmcwl4ss&sig=4hi3SbRqoeKM-jzgSE6JPtskY2A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi_1sLc4ZzRAhWJzIMKHXESDvIQ6AEIOzAI#v=onepage&q=beswick%20venetian%20pottery%20-ebay&f=false

from: Beswick Pottery, by Val Baynton, Bloomsbury Publishing,Jul 20, 2012 (2012, Great Britain, by Shire Publications Ltd, Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 0PH, UK)

from section: ANIMALS COME OF AGE 1940-1969

Prospects seemed good at the beginning of 1939: the factory expansion and redevelopment programme, creating a more efficient production flow, was almost finished; a good creative team of designer, modeller, and mould-maker was in place; products were selling well; but then war was declared.

The industry generally, and Beswick specifically, saw that the war provided opportunities to gain overseas markets – by manufacturing ceramics that were previously made in Germany, Italy or Czechoslovakia. Two new sgrafitto series, Venetian and Florentine, were rapidly designed and launched. Florentine, with a bird, was initially sold through Hardy’s, and Venetian, with flowers, had a Beswick backstamp. Both designs were available in several colours, including green, blue and red, as well as plain white.

… Indeed, by 1942, (The PGGTR noted) 80 percent of output was exported to Australia, South Africa, Canada, South America and New Zealand.

For the domestic market, however, strict rules and rationing were enforced. In 1942 Beswick was licensed to make undecorated earthenware and these utility wares were marked with a letter A. All manufacturers permitted to continue making pottery (and many were not) were catagorised as Group I, II or III, depending on the maximum price each charged for its wares. Group III makers included Beswick and industry stalwarts such as Moorcroft, Royal Doulton and Josiah Wedgwood.

… The war years were prolific in terms of design, with nearly 280 shapes being added between September 1939 and June 1945…

 

Being hand colored, there will be a lot of variation from one piece to the next, maybe even entirely different palettes.

I would not have pegged this for Beswick.

 

MOS, thanks for your input.

I have a feeling the "Venetian" design may have been a bit of an anomaly - possibly having something to do with the "war years" info I found on Google Books today (i.e. perhaps trying to "replace" the Italian & other pottery NOT being made during that time.)

 

Pronounced with a silent "W"

Davey, I meant to mention that I didn't know that! I can't tell you how many times I've heard dealers here in the US say BES-WICK!

 

Here are some of the animals I've had:

Kitten 3" tall (different color combinations)


Mouse 2 5/8" tall


Bullfinch 2 1/2" tall


Siamese cats 3"tall


Poodle 3 3/4" tall (I've had these in black and in white.)


Alsatian 5 3/4" tall


Dachshund 4 1/4" long (different color combinations)


White squirrel 7 1/4" tall


Bulldog & Stand (Ch*Basford British Mascot*) 5 1/4" tall (really disappointed in what this sold for)

 

Too cute, MOS! I like them all!

 

They also made miniature whiskey bottles for Beneagles (at least)

Otter


Eagle


Haggis