Broxbourne.
In 1843, when terra-cotta was but little known, Mr. Pulham turned his attention to it, made numerous experiments in order to bring about its revival, and succeeded in making it both of a good hard stone colour and of a rich pale red. Having done this, he began to produce various small objects for architectural purposes—bosses, angle quoins, brackets, balustrades, small flower-pots, and vases—which remain at the present day as sharp and good as when they left the kiln. He also, about this time, introduced what is termed granulated terra-cotta, having the appearance of stone. Latterly this imitation has fallen into disrepute, and wisely so, for although where terra-cotta is now used it is adopted instead of stone, yet it is not used to imitate stone, but passes for what it is,—bona fide terra-cotta. For architectural purposes, it is still, in some instances, granulated.
Fig. 819.
Mr. Pulham exhibited specimens of his work at the Exhibition of 1851. Notably amongst them was a handsome Gothic vase in rich pale red, highly enriched; this was placed upon a suitable pedestal of cream-colour terra-cotta. From that time down to the next Exhibition, in 1862, improvements were constantly being made, both in the manipulation, production, and style of the manufacture. Mr. Pulham aimed more at the quality than quantity made; and it is said that he still carries out the rule he laid down, not to extend his business, but to keep it so that it is not too large to be under his own personal supervision. Mr. Pulham exhibited in 1862, among other things, a large Fountain for a gentleman’s grounds near Tunbridge Wells, many features of which, particularly the life-size figure of Hebe which surmounts it, and which is a perfection in burning, were very successful.
Fig. 820.
Figs. 821 to 824.—Broxbourne Terra Cotta.
In 1871, besides other of his productions, Mr. Pulham exhibited a small fountain, which was at play during the whole time of the Exhibition; and also several new vases. The fountains (for which a prize medal was awarded) and principal exhibits were very favourably noticed. Some of these I give on Figs. [819 to 824]. At the Paris Exhibition in 1867 fountains, vases, and architectural embellishments, amongst which may be named the Preston vase (a number of which were made for the People’s Park, Preston), with medallions representing the staple commerce of the place; some rich columns, novel window jambs and dressings; and notably amongst the rest was the Mulready Monument, erected for the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, and at whose instigation it was sent to Paris. The design of this is a pedestal 15 ft. by 10 ft., round the sides of which are sketched in outline some of Mulready’s principal pictures. This pedestal supports a large-size effigy, 7 ft. long, on a raised bier, the whole of this bier and effigy being fired successfully, just as it left the sculptor’s and modeller’s hands, and which was highly commended and spoken of as quite a chef d’œuvre in the terra-cotta art, and obtained the silver medal. It is now in Kensal Green cemetery, where it was fixed on its return from Paris. Mr. Pulham also executed a portion of ornamental terra-cotta used in the New Science Schools at South Kensington. The quality of the terra-cotta produced at Broxbourne is very high; it is hard, firm, compact, and durable, and of a soft and pleasing colour. Besides the articles already named, Mr. Pulham produces a goodly variety of vases, tazzas, pedestals, flower-baskets, and architectural enrichments of every kind.