LUSTRINE with Pewter Overlay
with added pewter overlays depicting cherries.
Early in the 1920s Carlton Ware introduced its LUSTRINE range, which was available in twelve attractive colours. These plain lustre decorations were used on a wide range of shapes.
Examples of LUSTRINE have been found with a pewter overlay as on the rectangular floating flower bowl on the right.
The overlays were made using a technique called repoussé, where a sheet of malleable metal such pewter, copper or silver was labourously hammered into the desired relief. More decoration was added by chasing with metal punches.
The pliable metal enabled the resulting form to be applied over the curved surface of a pot. Hot pitch or animal glue may have been used to attach the adornment. The same method was also used on glass, as shown on the left.
Sometimes cabochons of glass or semi precious stones were incorporated into the pewter overlays adding to the attractiveness and cost. The cabochons are likely to have been bought in from a jewelers' supplier. Two examples are shown below.
Right - detail from rectangular bowl with pewter overlay and blue cabochons.
It seems unlikely that this elaborate work was carried out at Carlton Ware's Copeland Street works. Consequently, I suggest that it was done in workshops or studios elsewhere. But where might this be? Could it be Glasgow?
The Arts & Crafts movement.
We could also suggest that these Arts & Crafts inspired additions could have been made at many other UK locations.
Below is a selection of Carlton Ware bowls with pewter overlays.
Most Carlton Ware with pewter overlay is to be found on bowls. Apart from LUSTRINE decorations, bowls with other lustre grounds have also been found with the metal embellishments.
The two orange lustre decorations above used the earlier lustre, most often found on Carlton Ware's ARMAND LUSTRE range; the blue bowl, bottom right, used a matt glaze, which was introduced by the pottery c1928.
The plain Carlton Ware lustre grounds work very well with the pewter and the composition probably looked even better when the metalwork was bright and reflective, not having the duller patina that it has acquired over what must be in excess of 90 years.
If you have an example of Carlton Ware with pewter overlay then do send me a picture, or if you wish to comment then to send me an email.
© Harvey Pettit 2014 ❑