Pre-Tea Leaf

Body Style: Swags & Scroll

Biography

This body style was illistrated in Minnie Kamm's book "Old China" (1951). It was Mrs. Kamm who coined the motif name "Pre-Tea leaf. " The body style name is derived from her description: "The embossed pattern consists of light scrolling around the widest part of the body and a slight indentation below the swags; the collar is slightly wider, with faint scalloping, as shown."

Naming Source: Club Named
Manufacturing Era: 1850s
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Dinnerware
Treatments: Copper Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Round
Potters:
Unknown
Motifs:
Pre-Tea Leaf

Body Style: Wrapped Sydenham

Biography

The syndenham body style was introduced by T & R Boote in 1853. It achieved instant popularity and thus was copied widely. The three potters (Livesley and Powell, Anthony Shaw and Edward Walley) decorated their Wrapped Sydenham versions with a variety of treatments. Collectors will find traditional Tea Leaf (Shaw) , Scallops (Walley) and Lustre Band (Livesley & Powell) motifs. FInials may also vary - Shaw may have a bud finial ahile Walley feature an acorn finial. Patton also made wares in this body style.

Naming Source: Factory Named
Manufacturing Era: 1850s
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath, Dinnerware
Treatments: Copper Lustre, Polychrome with Copper Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Oval, Round

Body Style: Niagara Shape

Biography

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.

Naming Source: Factory Named
Manufacturing Era: 1850s
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath, Dinnerware
Treatments: Copper Lustre, Green
Footprints/Shapes: Oval, Round

Body Style: Grape Octagon

Biography

One of the most popular of the early body styles, Grape Octagon has fluted octagonal panels and grape embossing at handle terminals and finials. Pitchers and teapots have distinctive B-shaped handles.  

Naming Source: Club Named
Manufacturing Era: 1840s, 1850s
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath, Dinnerware
Treatments: Copper Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Octagon (8-Sided), Round

Body Style: Hyacinth

Biography

Hyacinth features an embossed hyacynth under the handle near the top where the handle attaches to the rim The embossing extends across the face of the body on the upper third of pieces such as creamers. Cochran applied the pre-tea leaf motif in copper lustre to this body style.

Naming Source: Club Named
Manufacturing Era: 1860s
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Dinnerware
Treatments: Copper Lustre
Footprints/Shapes: Round
Potters:
Cochran
Motifs:
Pre-Tea Leaf

Potter: Edward Walley

Biography

Edward Walley - 1845-1858
Also: Edward Walley & Son - 1858-1862

Location: Cobridge, Staffordshire
Origins: British
Manufacturing Era: 1840s, 1850s, 1860s
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Bath, Dinnerware
Treatments: Green, Polychrome with Copper Lustre, Sunderland (Pink) Lustrerland Lustre
Body Styles:
Classic Gothic
DeSoto Shape
Full Panelled Gothic
Gothic Cameo
Grape Octagon
Niagara Shape
Wrapped Sydenham
Motifs:
Chelsea Grape
Lustre Band
Palissy
Pomegranate
Pre-Tea Leaf
Scallops
Scroll
Spokes
Star & Garter
Tea Leaf
Teaberry
Other

Potter: R. Cochran

Biography

The Cochran pottery of Glasgow, Scotland, utilized the same Pre-Tea Leaf design made famous by Edward Walley.  Whether there was any connection between the Cochran and Walley potteries is not known.  The long-lived Cochran pottery was in business from 1846 to 1918 while the Walley pottery was in production for only a few short years from 1845 to 1856. 
 
Alt Name: R Cochran & Co.

Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Origins: British
Manufacturing Era: 1840s, 1850s, 1860s
Type of Company: Potter
Type of Ware: Dinnerware
Treatments: Copper Lustre
Body Styles:
Arched Wheat
Hyacinth
Niagara Shape
Motifs:
Pre-Tea Leaf