Shrimp pot and cover, about 1850F&R Pratt, Fenton StaffordshireMoulded, underglaze printed earthenware
F&R Pratt were ceramic manufacturers based at High Street in Fenton. They were established in 1818 and made predominantly earthenwares with printed decoration (like this pot) and some terracotta pieces until the 1930s. Felix Edwards Pratt and his chief engraver, Jesse Austin, made the company into a well noted producer of this type of ware. They were one of the first makers to recognise the commercial viability of polychrome printed wares. These type of pots were used mainly for creams and pomades (or Bears' Grease) for the hair, as well as shrimp and meat pastes. They were made mostly between 1850 and the 1880s. The designs were applied by transfer and show many different scenes. The pots rarely survive, but the lids were quite often kept and are now collected by people. The design on the lid pictured above, which is possibly by Jesse Austin, shows two lovers with text around the rim:
A paper band around the middle of the pot (not shown) reads:
Part of the Decorative Art collection at National Museums Liverpool. Accession number 57.178.101 Send this image as an e-cardSay it with a shrimp pot! This is just one of the romantic images available in our Valentine e-card selection. Why not send it to the one you love? In this section
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