A to Z Anthology

As the Society no longer produces newsletters, we will post occasional items of interest here.
Topics will be chosen at random.
Your contributions are welcome.

N is for Names and Numbers

What we know about these topics is listed on this site. Search it! We may sometimes be able to add background information, but not always. Take this query :

"I was wondering if you could help me to research this patterned bowl. It says Cetem Ware on the back and is beautifully decorated in seashells, seaweed and seagulls. I would guess it dates to 1920s Art Deco style from the colours."

We can say that the name Cetem Ware and its sunburst trademark were registered in 1908 and variations in the appearance of the castle, which is sometimes found without rays, do occur. The mark can be printed in any colour ink.

The success of Cetem Ware can be credited to two men: the firm's designer at the time, Harry Clifford Toft and its London agent from 1910, Mr. Stanley. Many "black ground" items were being produced in the early part of the 20th century.

While writing TMOE Steven Moore consulted every available edition of the Pottery Gazette. He observes: "This pattern appears, if memory serves, in 1912, so it is that date rather than Deco."

We have no further reference to this pattern, and no name or number. Sometimes we don't know everything (see "E is for Errors & Omissions"). Pre-5000 numbers exist, but we have no list. The Dates page will explain more.

Observing that: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", Shakespeare's Juliet argues that
the names of things do not matter, only what things are.
So don't get too obsessed with the minutiae of names and numbers. Life, like Juliet's, is too short.

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