Discuss, Buy and Trade Sylvac Pottery with other collectors  The Sylvan works ceased trading in 1982 and all the records relating
to styles and dates of production etc, were destroyed. This hasn't stopped
avid collectors from gaining as much information as possible over recent
years, and piece by piece the general picture has been put together.
There are still models however that haven't been recorded and these
are avidly sought by collectors. If you have a colourway or a unique
piece of SylvaC, it could be worth a small fortune. Pictured
right Bunny Model No's: 1026, 1065. The
factory was founded in 1894 by William Shaw and William Copestake and
given the company name of Shaw & Copestake. William Copestake however
left the partnership half way through the first year and in 1895 Mr
Richard Hull became William Shaw's partner in the buisiness. Their partnership
grew in strength and over the forty years of producing decorative wares
(and what was known as 'fancies') Richard Hull was to have a major influence,
including the development of the export side which was to lead the way
for the Companie's future success. Pictured
left Mr Sylvac Ashtray Mode No: 3542. In
1935 Richard Hull Junior joined the company as the new partner, when
Richard Hull Senior passed away. With the input of Richard Hull Junior
and William Shaw the business continued strongly. Pictured
right Two Falcon Ware Posy Vases Model No's: 1984, 1965.
 In
1938 the Thomas Lawrence Falcon Pottery was acquired, due to a connection
between the daughter and her marriage to Richard Hull. These two factories
operated independantly of each other for nineteen years until a suitable
factory was built on land opposite the old Shaw and Copstake Factory.
Pictured left "Hamish", John Grant
Promotional Toby Jugs. These
new premises brought the gradual merger of the two businesses and by
1964 the Falcon Mark was ceased. Following the voluntary liquidation
of Shaw and Copestake in 1982 the premises and equipment were purchased
by the North Midlands Co-Operative Spociety and from there leased to
a workers co-operative society known as Longton Ceramics. Pictured
right Misty Morn Jardiniere Model No: 199. Eighteen
months later the united co-operative society took over and ran it under
the Crown Windsor name. This was not to be a successful venture and
they only managed five months of production before liquidation. The
premises are now onwed by Portmeirion Potteries Ltd who in 1991 began
to operate from there. Every piece of SylvaC stock was sold off, and
among them even some of the display pieces which command high prices
today. Pictured left Falcon Ware Bowl incised
decoration. Rabbits,
Dogs & MoreSylvaC has become synonymous with animals, especially dogs and most famously rabbits. The rabbits first appeared in the early 1930s and came to be produced because while in France, Mr Richard Hull had come across a similar model and knew immediately that they could be commercially sound. The rabbits were produced for over 40 years until 1975, and in many colours and glazes, the most common being green. The glazes on the rabbits were matt until they it was discontinued, when a gloss finish appeared in thr 1970s. The shapes included crouching rabbits, one ear up and down rabbits, Harry the Hare, and comical rabbits. Pictured right "Harry" The Hare Model No: 1298. 
The terriers proved to be the most sought after and continued to be saleable throughout all the business years. One of the most popular of the novelty dogs is known as the "Toothache" Dog modelled by Reginald Thompson. Pictured left "Toby" Toothache Dog Model No: 3183.  One
of the most elusive of all is what is known as 'Mac' Dogs. Produced
in five sizes by Otakar Steinburger who was a London based modeller
from Czechoslovakia. This model was in the form of a Scottie Dog holding
a golf ball. Pictured right Scottie Model No:
147.Other than animals, SylvaC Pottery included Gnomes, small novelties called 'Fancies', Character and Toby Jugs, figures, advertising wares amd tablewares. site by lincs-on-line | hosted by ukhosts.com |
