JOSEPH HOLDCROFT (Brown Edge, Norton, Staffordshire, England. 1856-1904).
Planter with pedestal. England, late 19th century
Polychrome majolica.
Marks and numbering on the reverse.
Damage to one claw of the bird and slight general chipping. Wear and tear due to the passage of time.
Measurements: 83 x 45 x 30 cm (jardinière). 80 cm (Height of base); 30 cm (Diameter of base).
Planter with pedestal, Arts and Crafts, made in England at the end of the 19th century in hand-polychromed majolica. Marks and numbering on the reverse. The upper part of the jardinière is decorated in relief with a stork and plant decoration. The base has a circular column, decorated with flying birds and vegetal borders.
Joseph, son of pottery owner William Holdcroft, graduated from the Wedgwood Institute in Burslem, and joined his father's firm, George Street Pottery in Tunstall, where he is credited with the development of several patents for the production of earthenware. Joseph Holdcroft was employed by Minton for some eighteen years, where he became an expert in majolica manufacture. After leaving Minton, Holdcroft established Sunderland Pottery at Daisy Bank, Longton in 1870. Although much of the output was majolica, the firm also produced Parian, silver lustre and other domestic wares which were marketed in America and Australia. Joseph Holdcroft died in 1904 and the business was then run by his son Thomas. In 1906, the company was incorporated as Holdcroft Ltd. and operated throughout the 1920s.
Holdcroft majolica can sometimes be identified by the celadon-green colouration on the lower surface, although mottled patterns of greyish-brown and greenish-brown are also seen. When marked, Holdcroft pieces bear a printed 'J HOLDCROFT' or a superimposed 'JH' within a circle.