Figs. 727 to 733.—Watcombe Terra Cotta.
The Art-productions of the Watcombe pottery are extremely varied, and show how capable this local clay is of being turned to good account in a variety of ways. Among the more notable productions are statuettes and busts, for which the clay is peculiarly suitable. Of these, the difficult figure of “The Disc Thrower” is one of the most successful, both in modelling, in firing, and in all the other manipulative processes. Another artistic statuette is a sweetly pretty figure of a country girl, bare-footed and reclining. Her right hand holds up her apron filled with flowers, while in her left she holds an open book, which she is intently reading. The conception of the figure, simple and graceful in the highest degree, is remarkably good, and the execution is free and artistic. In others, a charming effect is produced by leaving the figure itself of the natural red of the body, and introducing a lighter tinted clay for the drapery in which they are partly enveloped; this, again, being lighted up and relieved here and there with a slight touch of colour. Among the busts are a pair of Byron and Scott—two of the most popular subjects that could be produced—and of full life-size, being about two feet six inches in height, and two feet in width. In modelling, these busts are among the most easy, graceful, and life-like we have ever seen, either in marble, in parian, or in any other material, while as productions in warm-tinted terra-cotta they surpass anything yet produced. They are not only life-like portraits of these two great and widely-different types of men, as regards features and figure and pose, but they convey an actual reflex of the mind of each in the expression which the modeller has caught and perpetuated. The tint of the Watcombe terra-cotta is a delicate rich warm red, with what may be truly called a “bloom” overspreading its surface. It is, therefore, on that account, as well as for its matchless fineness and purity, eminently adapted for busts and statuary; and, for such large size busts as the pair we are writing about, it is infinitely superior to any other material. The vases, which are made in endless variety, are characterized by extreme chasteness and elegance of outline, and by excellent taste in decoration, whether that decoration consists in festoons of hand-modelled flowers, in pressed work, in milling, in printing, or in painting. Many of them in form and in ornamentation, although of so different a body, bear comparison with the better specimens of Wedgewood-ware, and exhibit a purity of taste which is quite refreshing. For tea or déjeuné services, the insides of the teapots and cream-ewers are simply, but judiciously glazed; while the cups are, as in some old oriental examples, lined with celeste, which colour is also occasionally introduced with good taste, on the handles and mouldings. Brackets, of charming design, candlesticks, jugs, medallions, tobacco-jars, spill-cases, flower-stands—and, indeed, all the articles produced—bear the same stamp of care and elegance. The turning is done with admirable precision; the moulding with a refreshing delicacy of finish; and the gilding and enamelling—only sparsely introduced, by the way, and then only as an accessory to the general design—executed with a pure taste and by a master mind. Besides these, it is necessary to mention that architectural decorations and enrichments, statues, garden and flower-vases, pedestals, and garden edgings, besides other articles, are made; the commoner strata of clay being remarkably well adapted, from its hardness and durability, for these purposes. Our engravings convey but a very poor idea of the beauty and elegance of form of the vases, &c., here produced; the purest taste characterizes the various articles. The works are carried on by a company, under the style of “The Watcombe Terra Cotta Clay Company,” consisting of seven proprietors. They are situate about two miles from Torquay, on the Teignmouth Road, near to the picturesque rocks and downs of Watcombe. Large show-rooms have been erected, and everything done to make the Watcombe works attractive and useful. They have been visited by, and received the patronage of, many distinguished persons. The marks used by the company are simply impressed in the body of the ware, or printed on its surface. The usual mark is simply the words “Watcombe, Torquay,” or “Watcombe;” but another, and very picturesque mark has also been adopted—it is a woodpecker on a branch of a tree, with a distant landscape and ship on the sea, within a garter, on which are the words, WATCOMBE TORQUAY.
WATCOMBE,
TORQUAY.