EDWARD MORLEY
1768
Another bears the date—
RICD. MASON
JANY. 1TH
1771
Of this latter year another dated example is shown on the engraving (Fig. [838]); it has the words—“James & Mary Curtis, Lowestoft, 1771.” This mug was painted by Thomas Curtis, son of the pair named in the inscription. He was for some time, it is said, employed at Dresden, and became a “silent partner” in the Lowestoft works, and in his will is described as a “porcelain painter.” Part of a set of china, painted by this same Thomas Curtis on Oriental body, in 1775, and intended as a wedding present for his son James, is still preserved in the family.
Fig. 838.
The next dated example of blue and white was in the museum of the late Mr. Mills, of Norwich. It is a mug, and bears the inscription—“ROBT. HAWARD 1781.” The same gentleman had also other initialed specimens, made originally for members of his family. In Mr. Seago’s collection is an inkstand marked S. A. Sept. 26 1782, being the initials of Samuel Aldred; and Mr. Norman possessed a similar inkstand inscribed “A present from Lowestoft,” but not dated. In Norwich a later example, with the initials and date—
W
J S
1784
is also preserved. A beautiful example, the latest known dated specimen of Lowestoft china, is in the possession of Mr. J. Williams, of Islington. It is a mug, three and a half inches high, painted in blue with borders and flowers, and has on the front the initials and name[105]
G C
LOWESTOFT
1789