The Lowestoft Porcelain.
The Lowestoft manufactory in Suffolk was founded by Hewlin Luson, Esq., in 1756 and erected on his own estate in the first instance at Gunton Hall.
In 1775 the Lowestoft porcelain had attained great perfection. Hard paste was then introduced, after a period of twenty years of the use of the soft, which was of fine quality. The hard was of very thick substance, but with a fine glaze.
So close was the resemblance acquired to Oriental porcelain at this factory that it was difficult for the general observer to distinguish between them, which difficulty was enhanced by the fact that no mark was ever used as it was an object with the proprietors to make their work pass for genuine Oriental ware. Yet there were certain peculiarities in style and colouring which were sufficient to betray their origin. Amongst these the prevalence of the rose in the declaration of a very large proportion of the china often served to identify it, being painted by Thomas Rose. The flower was generally pink and represented as having fallen from the stem. The most difficult of recognition amongst the varieties of Lowestoft china are the examples in white and blue.
Amongst other designs, the "fan and feather" pattern was striking in character in imitation of the Capo di Monte; painted in blue, purple, and red, and often in diaper work in gold and colours. Here also a very fine egg-shell china was produced bearing delicately-painted ciphers, coats of arms, crests and scrolls, and designs in pink camaieu, with highly-finished gold borders, pearled with colours; also dessert services with raised mayflowers on blue and white grounds and pierced sides; transfer-painting being also in use.
As every description of device taken from nature, including Oriental figures and other designs, was produced at this factory, it is impossible to describe them all. I may here observe that a china teapot of the distinctive "owl service" pattern was recently sold for upwards of £50.
The revival of the works after the opposition raised to them in Luson's time by the London manufacturers was due to Messrs. Walker, Browne, senior and junior, Aldred, and Richman, and Allen, who carried on a large trade with Holland.
The ultimate closure of the works was due to a disastrous combination of circumstances, which took place about 1803-4. There was a decline in the art some few years previously. It became too showy and over-gilded.
I said that the Lowestoft manufactory had no distinctive mark, nevertheless some pieces may be found bearing the painted initials "F. R." in capital letters, standing for "Frederick Rex" (the Great), and two other examples of marking are those of a head of Christ, which is inscribed "R. Allen, Lowestoft, aged 88, 1832," and a teapot (in hard paste) of Oriental design has the name "Allen" surmounting "Lowestoft," painted in red underneath it.
(To be continued.)