Farnham Pottery

The Farnham Buildings Preservation Trust has now saved the buildings of this great pottery. It's a real Arts & Crafts pottery that turned to making craft items in the late 19th Century under Absalom Harris, previously making tiles and clay pipes. They are famously know for their owl jugs that were sold at Liberties in London. You can still visit the pottery and they have again  started production. The buildings are used for events and each November they host the indoor smaller version of Art in Clay. I find their pieces incredibly honest and British to the core. Farnham Pottery owl jugs have so much character I think they will be popular for many, many years. Farnham is located a few miles south of Aldershot, about fifty miles Southwest of London.


The slideshow works best on PC. It scrolls through all the below images full-sized.


Farnham Pig

I emailed Richard & Geraldine who run the fantastic website dedicated to Farnham Pottery about this pig as I wanted to be sure it was authentic. This type of moulded pig were very popular 100 years ago and many potteries made versions.

"Alex, The pig you have on your website is definitely Farnham. They were made in plaster moulds, and the ears were added later. Best Regards, Richard & Geraldine".   

Their website is well worth visiting;  https://farnhampottery.piwigo.com/  The patination and colours on this one are really great.  Unmarked. 

Richard & Geraldine's Collectors Site


Farnham Artware Floral Vase

Richard & Geraldine describe this vase as Artware;

"Artwares were produced from the late 19th century and continued to be made well up into the 20th century. The pottery items were made at Farnham and were then decorated by members of the public including students at various art schools." 

This vase is 150mm high and Signed MARIES, Dated 1919 although the last number could be a 2 or 9 or 0. The number is mostly obscured by the kiln wadding mark.

Inside the vase rim is marked with a M. (underscore) see photos. Decorated externally with a floral pattern and overglazed. These pieces are more unusual and somewhat sought after especially the ones by Ada Kate Hazell. It's very decorative and the glaze has given it a lustre finish as you can see from some of the images.


Farnham Small Green Owl Jug

The owl jugs were extremely popular judging by how many are out there. Smallest I have seen is approximately 75mm (3 inch). This one is 100mm (4 inch). It was probably for cream for tea. Very cute. You will notice the nicks and damage to the rim. It's very unusual to find these jugs in perfect condition. They were used and well loved and the earthenware base is soft. Very normal to see this sort of damage. Unmarked.


Farnham Blue Owl Jugs

Blue and green seem to have been the most popular colours. Brown is less common. The blue is not 100% consistent as you would probably expect for items made over a log period of time. 

These to are 200mm (8 inches) high. One unmarked, one marked with base inscribed X for blue glaze.


Farnham Blue Owl Bowl

The bowls seem not to have been as popular as the jugs. I think we all forget what it as like when your mike as delivered by cart and jugs were important kitchenware.

This one has three faces and is approx 150mm (6 inches) diameter. Unmarked.


Farnham Washbowl

Sadly this set jug and washbowl set is badly damaged. The large 400mm (16 inches) washbowl has two faces opposite each other at some point the jug has either been dropped onto one side or more likely just clipped the top edge causing a hand size break that has been crudely repaired. Very sad. At least someone cared enough to stick the pieces back together.

If I ever get the time I would love to do a ceramics restoration course and repair the set as I think it's worth saving. The bowl is a massive 400mm (16 inches) diameter and the jug 300mm (12 inches) high. I'm surprised the handle is intact on the jug. It's very heavy when full and holds eight pints.

Both are inscribed BY on the base for Brown with a Yellow interior.