Lustre Band

Primary is a generic name for several different body styles of the mid-19th century. There are many variations of this basic shape.

Some have uninterrupted vertical panels as in the Jacob Furnival child's pieces. Others may have a single straight line at the waist, or several lines belting the waist; diamond-styled vertical panels; or split vertical panels.

This early bulbous style is divided into six sections by ridged lines which are extended above the neck to form heart shapes. Note that Livesley and Powell pieces have a mushroom finial while Jacob Furnival pieces sport a conical knob finial.

Registered in 1853.

An early octagonal body style produced by Jacob Furnival, it is rarely found with copper lustre banding. The basic Gothic lines are interrupted by the wide vertical panels at the lower section of the body. The only embossing is found at the handle terminals where elaborate foilage relieves the plain lines of the style.

Holloware pieces in this attractive style are divided into four sections by the ridged loops. Flatware pieces such as plates and platters have six sections while cups are divided into five sections. The rosebud finial lends its name to this early body style.

A close cousin to Grand Loop, Loop and Line features a horse-shoe shaped line decoration on the flange of underplates. Covered dishes have a split pod finial encircled with foilage.

Characterized by delicate scroll-like embossing below the top rim, this shape is found with a variety of treatments. Tea service items are found in both round and oval shapes. Many pieces are found with an impressed "No. 2."

NOTE: The impressed name does not include the word "shape." However, the mark clearly shows this as a potter-named body style. Registered in 1862.

This panelled round style boasts distinctive trumpet flower finials. Portland Shape was potted over a period of thirty years. It is found decorated with marvelous copper lustre Morning Glory motifs or equally beautiful green and copper Reverse Teaberry designs. Some tea services have been found with Pomegranate finials. 

Note that children's sets were not made in Portland Shape but were made in Columbia Shape.

A close relative of the Gothic body styles, Panelled Decagon was potted by Elsmore & Forster. The ten panelled plates and flatware sport a scalloped rim that defines the ten-panelled flange. Covered pieces bear a typical Gothic finial with lavish embossing on the finial surround - basically the only decoration on an otherwise plain body style.

Hearts and flowers are deeply sculpted on this 1860's shape by John Edwards. Since this potter often decorated his wares with theTea Leaf motif, it's quite reasonable that one day an example of Tuscan Shape with a Tea Leaf will surface. About 1867.

Edward Walley decorated this widely popular design with a variety of lustre motifs. In addition to the Tea Leaf and related motifs, Walley also used Chelsea Grape and other various painted patterns.

The flared round tea service pieces flow to an extremely low waist and then are sharply indented to a shaped base. The shape of dinner serving pieces can be seen in the Register of Designs, British Patent Office, dated November 29, 1856.