Walking past a second-hand shop in Sherborne (Dorset) I
spied this large ceramic mug in the window...
The design is very reminiscent of and possibly
based on drawings by Rowland Emett. Rowland Emett is very much in the news at the moment as the ‘Marvellous
Machines’ exhibition has just opened at the Birmingham Museum
and Art Gallery
“With this exhibition
we aim to introduce Rowland Emett and his amazing machines to a new
generation,” says Tim Griffiths, founder of the Rowland Emett Society. “He was a very
familiar figure during the post-war decades but has been largely
forgotten—until now. We will have twelve of the fifteen machines known to have
survived in the UK
on display alongside many of his distinctive original drawings.”
The mug is now residing on my desk, and I am
keen to know more about it. It was produced by the Purbeck Ceramics Company of
Swanage. I assume it’s a transfer print probably made in the 1960s or 70s. If
anyone knows anything at all about the mug or the history of Purbeck Ceramics,
I would love to hear from you.
If you are interested in Rowland Emett, you
might enjoy the previous posts about here, here and here and if you would like to see him at work there is a wonderful piece of film here
This is another purchase from the same shop. I'm going to
have a lot of fun with these!
In other news; Peter Rabbit wins Gold Medal at Chelsea!
I was excited to read about the Peter
Rabbit Herb
Garden at Chelsea winning the coveted Great Pavilion Award. The World of Beatrix Potter joined forces with garden designer, Richard
Lucas, and plant nursery Hooksgreen
Herbs to create the garden. I wasn't able to go this year but kept up to
date with everything on the TV and in the newspapers. It was amazing to see Mr.
McGregor's garden coming to life. This reminds me of a visit from our ‘very
own’ Peter Rabbit. You can read about it here
Dear Barbara, that's a beautiful mug and I'm glad you bought it. Those marbles remind me of the ones my younger sisters (especially Olive's mom) used to collect. We all had a thing for shiny things. And yes, I remember your Peter Rabbit! Hope it's doing well in your garden, or someone else's ... Have a good weekend ahead ~
ReplyDeleteHello Claudine, I used to spend hours playing with marbles so couldn’t pass up in these, they hold so many memories. I’ve never really looked at them before, but they are fascinating, so many different patterns and designs – I had no idea. I hope ‘Peter Rabbit’ is alive and well somewhere, but I have my doubts. He was very tiny and completely alone. Poor little thing, wherever he is he took part of our hearts with him.
DeleteEnjoy the weekend. Barbara.
Thank you for sharing some of your lovely things with us. Please let us know if you find out anything more about your mug.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy, I certainly will. I don't want to sell it, but it would be interesting to know if it has any value. I would also like to know how many were made. I've never seen another one, so I don't think there can be very many. Have a great weekend.
DeleteThat statue of rabbit is so cute, and the bird sitting on it is how lovely ! I loved that picture Barbara :)
ReplyDeleteHello Aunt Mary, I'm so pleased you liked it. Thanks for your comment. Barbara.
DeleteI love to see how forgotten artists' work is resurrected to bring back the joy! And his illustrations are magical. I think I have come across his work in my youth...and this Peter Rabbit garden my friend, how I would LOVE to see such a historical and literary garden with my own eyes! I just adore England and all that your country has offered through the centuries through art, literature, history and music. I always tell my husband when we are listening to the great rock bands of the 60s, "How did the British do it? How is it that they have rocked the world with the greatest writers and musicians?" Peter Rabbit garden....now I am getting ideas for my own!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day dear Barbara! Anita
Thank you Anita, I always appreciate your sweet comments. I’m pretty fond of England myself and really enjoy sharing little bits of it with lovely folks like you.
DeleteHave a wonderful weekend. Barbara xx
I expect you've already done it Barbara...!
ReplyDeleteI've just Googled...Swanage Ceramics...and
there are loads of links, history, different items,
and e~bay....! Worth a look! :).
And, Chelsea Flower Show..Brilliant, have'nt
missed a program yet...I'm not a gardener, well,
love my Hosta's, and, my Virginia Creeper, and,
that's about it...But, l love seeing other peoples
gardens...And, those at Chelsea are wonderful!
And, Peter Rabbit's herb garden was lovely...! :).
Hello Willie, how nice to have a visit from you! I did Google it – in fact. It was the first thing I did when I got home. It didn’t help me much though because I couldn’t find anything like this mug, and I didn’t find much history on the company. It looks as though I didn’t try hard enough – I will try again.
DeleteI’m loving Chelsea, wish I could pay a visit but not to be this year. My Hostas are coming along nicely the trouble is the slugs love them, and as I can’t bring myself to ‘deal’ with the slugs, I rather fear they will win.
Not much sunshine today, perhaps it’s saving itself for the bank holiday.
Those marbles look like fun! I love the mug, too--very fun and whimsical!
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie, the marbles are way too much fun - I’m getting nothing done!
DeleteThanks for your visit, Barbara.
Hi Barbara,yet another interesting read from you, thank you. Good news about Peter Rabbit's award I really dig that. As for the mug, I have done some research and can confirm that yours is a right handed version with the option of being left handed if you turn it round before use...........Ho! Hum!.....
ReplyDeleteHope your weekend will be sunny
Hello there, I dig it too. Thanks for your extensive research, it’s nice to know both left and right handed folks can use it – not that it will get used, although it would look lovely filled with wild flowers! No sun in Somerset today so maybe it’s saving itself for the Bank Holiday. Have a good weekend ;0)
DeleteSmee agen.............I would have mentioned marbles but I think I might have lost mine...
ReplyDeleteHaha - me too!
DeleteIt's probably sacrilege but that's just the size of mug I like for my morning cuppa.
ReplyDeleteDo you know I live less than three miles from the Chelsea Flower Festival but I've never been there; not once.
I like my morning cuppa in a nice bone china cup and saucer, no builder's tea or builder’s mugs for me first thing. The rest of the day I don’t care what it comes in, so long as it comes.
DeleteWe live 10 minutes from Wincanton race course, but we've never been to a race. Shall we swap houses for a day or two? You can do the races, and we can do Chelsea!
Looks like you got a beautiful new mug! Wish I new more something about it to share with you. :) I hope you learn more about it and share it with us!
ReplyDeleteLove the marbles. So fun and sparkly!
Thanks Stephanie. I’ve not been able to find another mug even similar to this one, but if I do I will be sure to share.
DeleteMy dad had a book called "Home Rails Preferred" by Emett which I have kept. It was a collection of the cartoons he did for Punch. I was fascinated by the book as a child and your post will prompt me to go and have another look.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, I’ve seen “Home Rails Preferred” a couple of times. It's a fascinating book. I’m sure you will enjoy looking at it again.
DeleteThanks for your visit. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Barbara.
What a lovely mug, the marbles! What memories they conjure up, from childhood. I loved the game kerplunk and used to take some of the marbles from the game to school to play with as the game wasn't allowed in class, too noise.
ReplyDeleteLainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
Hi Lainy, I know just what you mean about the marbles. Looking at them takes me back down the years to sunny summer holidays, playing marbles in the dirt. My son had kerplunk and you are quite right it is a noisy game! I’ve just got up, and it’s a lovely morning in Somerset. I hope the sun is shining for you. Barbara.
DeleteGood morning dearest Barbara! Thank you my friend, for coming to visit my post. I love that song as well; it is poignant, bittersweet and uplifting at the same time...a bit like life. Oh but the gift of being alive, no?
ReplyDeleteMay your day be sunny and full of June hope. Anita
A gift indeed Anita, and one that I hope we both hang onto for a little while longer. :0)
DeleteI hope you're having a perfect day dear Anita.
What a lovely mug, I can see why you like it :)
ReplyDeleteHello Nikki-ann, I was thrilled to find it and spend large parts of my day just looking at it. Any excuse not to work! I hope your day is going well, Barbara.
DeleteThat mug is gorgeous! It would be such a shame if it were to spend the rest of its days hidden in the back of a cupboard. I think you should keep it on your desk and fill it with pens :) You've probably found out all the information you need by now...it's always fun researching items.
ReplyDeleteI used to love playing marbles with my friends on the school playground...hours of fun!
The Peter Rabbit garden was just perfect and I'm so glad it won.
I hope you're having a perfect bank holiday weekend dear Barbara xx
Hi Yvonne, I’ve moved it to a shelf just to the right of my desk (bit safer there!) and am displaying it alongside the marbles and several other bits and pieces. I like the idea of filling it with pens and may well do that.
DeleteWe are going to the Sherborne Castle Country Fair today. Terry will be taking ‘photos for the local paper, so I will get to meander around and have a good old look at everything.
I hope whatever you do today is fun. Barbara xx
The mug is simply amazing! I don't know anything about Rowland Emett but I MUST learn NOW.As for the Peter Rabbit .. I found your beautiful post with cute dag and cats post cards... Everything from march House Blog IS with vintage feel, cute, innocent and amazing.Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kokila, your sweet words mean a lot. Barbara
Delete~ Smiling :) as I visit you Barbara..I saw Peter in all his glory in Bowness yesterday ( lakes)..
ReplyDeleteSuch a cheery sight..And very worthy winner in Chelsea..( been addicted to watching this)
Cute as a button that wee' mug.. thanks for sharing with us and for always leaving the kindest words..
Hugs Maria x
Hi Maria, I can feel you smiling, and I’m smiling right back : )
DeleteI’m sad Chelsea is over for another year. It will soon be Wimbledon and then July and a few weeks after that it will be Christmas! Where are the months going? My mum used to say time speeds up as you get older, and I’m beginning to think she was right.
Have a lovely week Maria, I will be over to see you in a few days. Love Barbara.
It's beautiful and I agree with everyone else...waiting to learn more.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly, I will let you know if I do find anything. Have a lovely week. x
DeleteOh I would love to go to the Birmingham exhibition but can't unfortunately. I couldn't make it to the Chelsea flower show either but did watch some of it in the TV. I am hoping to go for the Hampton court show if the weather is good otherwise it is a nightmare walking from the car park which is so muddy when it rains.
ReplyDeleteHi Shashi, Birmingham is a long way for us,but like you I would love to go. We have done Hampton Court a couple of times. We go by coach and get dropped fairly close to an entrance so no walking through muddy car parks. I enjoy watching Chelsea on the TV because you get to see things you wouldn't otherwise see. The only thing I miss is the smell, it’s time we all had smelly vision!!
Deleteomg, I so love that Peter Rabbit statue.
ReplyDeleteMe too! He would look lovely in my garden
Delete