Ceramics
Model of cradle in brown tones decorated with cream slip
Object Number: ce180
This slipware cradle was probably made as a wedding present to wish a couple good fortune in their future family. It is called slipware because the potter has dotted and trailed liquid clay, known as slip, to create patterns. Many new types of pottery developed in Britain during the 1700s – including tin-glazed and lead-glazed earthenware and salt-glazed stoneware. You’ll find examples of all these types of pottery in the Harris collection.
Teapot marked ‘War Against Hitlerism’ made for Dyson & Horsfall
Object Number: 1994.12
This patriotic teapot was made for Dyson & Horsfall, a mail-order company in Preston specialising in Christmas catalogues. Before the war the company had a popular line in aluminium teapots, but with the war effort requiring people to surrender metal items they produced a ceramic teapot in 1939. You’ll find loads of pots about Preston at the Harris – including examples of Preston Guild pottery from 1802 to 2012 and a teapot made to celebrate Preston North End’s only FA Cup Victory in 1938.
Bowl decorated with 2 fish in green-glazed porcelain with gold repair
Object Number: ce571
This Chinese porcelain bowl made over 1000 years ago celebrates imperfection – whether in life, love or pots. It was made to celebrate a marriage, but during firing process the pot cracked. Rather than starting again the potter has used gold leaf to make a repair. The Harris has a small but significant collection of ceramics from around the world – ranging from ancient Etruscan vases to Hispano-Moresque lustreware and Mexican blackware.
The museum’s collection covers everything from Ancient Greek pottery to the latest in contemporary practice.
Our collection began in 1910 when a Preston solicitor, Cedric Houghton, left a bequest of around 400 items of pottery and porcelain to The Harris. Houghton’s wish was that his personal collection should form the basis of a larger collection, and this is what we have built. Our ceramic collection has almost 2,400 items, most are British, but there are sizeable groups of Chinese, Japanese and European wares.
The collection largely shows the development of British ceramics from the 1600s to the mid-1900s. Highlights include Wedgwood jasperware, Staffordshire figures and early English porcelain, as well as examples of loving cups, posset pots, punch bowls, tea sets and dinner services. We also have significant personal collections including the Smith Collection of English Porcelain, the Bradshaw Collection of English Coffee Cups and the Millington Tile Collection.
There are also lots of commemorative pots on display, often with strong connections to Preston. These include temperance ceramics and Preston Guild ceramics from 1822 to 2012.
Our recent collecting focuses on post-1900s studio and commercial ceramics with purchases of work by Bernard Leach, Katharine Pleydell-Bouverie and Clarice Cliff. Contemporary works include James Tower, Carol McNichol, Halima Cassell, Shigekazu Nagae Natasha Daintry, Morgan Dowdall and Malene Hartmann Rassmusen.
Date
Around 600 items from this collection are on display. Items not on display are in our stores and are available to view by appointment. Email [email protected].
Location
Ceramics & Glass Gallery on the 1st floor