Be happy and free
In drinking a Cup
Of harmless tea.”
And on the other side:—
“Mary Green
in the Parish
of Souze 1777.”
The vases, scent jars, cockle pots, and potpourri produced at Leeds, were many of them of very elaborate and elegant designs, and of large size, and were decorated with raised figures, medallions, flowers, festoons, shells, &c., and with perforated work. They were also frequently painted, or enamelled, in various colours, blue, green, and red being the prevailing ones. One “cockle pot,” 22 inches in height, has a square stand, highly decorated with shells, &c., in relief, and with perforations, standing on four feet. At each corner is a raised seated figure. From the centre rises the stem, supporting a solid globe, on which rests the bowl, supported by mermaids. The bowl is decorated with festoons of shells, flowers, and sea-weeds in high relief. The cover is also ornamented with raised groups of shells and seaweed, and is perforated in an elaborate and somewhat intricate pattern. It is surmounted by a spirited figure of Neptune with his trident and horses.
Candlesticks were made in great variety, and were highly decorated. Some were in the form of vases, and in this variety vases were produced in the same manner as Wedgwood’s jasper ware, with reversible tops, so as to serve either as ornaments only, or as candlesticks. Others have dolphins; others again Corinthian and other pillars; others have massive bases perforated and embossed, while the candlestick itself rose from griffins; and others again are vases with branches for two or more candles springing out from their tops. These are now of great rarity, as, indeed, are many of the productions of the Leeds works.
Single figures, and groups of figures, were also produced, principally in the plain cream-coloured ware, but sometimes painted. It is also said that some minute works of Art, small cameos, were made at Leeds. A pair of these, said to be authenticated as Leeds manufacture, are in the possession of Mr. Ferns, who is also the owner of many excellent specimens of perforated ware.