Sylvac PotterySylvaC pottery

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SylvaC pottery is one of the most recognisable names in twentieth-century British decorative ceramics. Best known for its wonderfully characterful rabbits and dogs, SylvaC also produced an enormous variety of vases, planters, novelty wares, character jugs, tableware, advertising pieces, gnomes, pixies and other decorative ceramics.

Produced by Shaw & Copestake at the Sylvan Works in Staffordshire, SylvaC has attracted generations of collectors. The huge number of models, different glazes and colour variations means that even today unusual and previously unrecorded examples continue to generate interest.

This feature was originally published in the World Collectors Net Magazine and has been substantially updated with additional historical and collecting information.

Sylvac Bunny Models — Pictured left Bunny Model No’s: 1026, 1065.

A Short History of SylvaC Pottery

The story begins in 1894, when William Shaw and William Copestake founded the pottery business of Shaw & Copestake. Copestake’s involvement was short-lived and Richard Hull subsequently became Shaw’s partner.

Richard Hull proved an important figure in the development of the company. His experience of the pottery trade, including overseas markets, helped develop the export side of the business and contributed considerably to its later success.

Richard Hull Junior joined Shaw & Copestake in the 1920s and became a partner following the death of his father in 1935. The younger Hull also had an important family connection with another Staffordshire pottery: he married Eileen Grundy, daughter of John Grundy of Thomas Lawrence’s Falcon Pottery.

Two Falcon Ware Posy Vases Model No's: 1984, 1965. — Two Falcon Ware Posy Vases Model No’s: 1984, 1965.

SylvaC and Falcon Ware

The relationship between SylvaC and Falcon Ware can sometimes cause confusion for collectors. They originated as separate concerns: SylvaC was the trade name associated with Shaw & Copestake, while Falcon Ware was produced by Thomas Lawrence.

The family and business connections between the two became increasingly important. In 1957 new works were opened in Normacot Road, Longton, with the two businesses operating alongside one another. Their production gradually became more closely integrated and the Falcon mark was discontinued in 1964.

This intertwined history explains why collectors encounter both names when researching shapes, mould numbers and factory records. A Falcon Ware piece should not automatically be described as SylvaC, however, and the mark, model number and individual piece should all be considered when identifying it.

What Did SylvaC Make?

Although animals dominate the popular image of SylvaC, the factory’s output was remarkably diverse. Over the decades its ranges included rabbits, dogs, cats and wild animals, together with vases, posy troughs, planters, wall pockets, character and Toby jugs, figures, tableware, nursery ware, advertising pieces and an enormous assortment of novelty ceramics often described as fancies.

Many pieces were made in several colours and glazes. This has made collecting SylvaC particularly interesting because two examples of the same model can look dramatically different.

SylvaC Rabbits

Of all the company’s products, it is the SylvaC rabbit that has become its most recognisable creation.

The rabbits appeared during the 1930s and were eventually produced in numerous sizes, poses and colours. The familiar green glazed rabbits are probably encountered most frequently, but examples were also produced in blue, fawn, yellow, turquoise and other colours. Some colourways are considerably harder to find than others.

Shapes included crouching rabbits, upright rabbits, lop-eared designs, models with one ear raised and one lowered, comic interpretations and Harry the Hare. Rabbits also appeared as decorative elements on ashtrays, vases, wall plaques, bookends and other wares.

Early rabbits were generally produced with matt glazes. Later examples can be encountered with a glossy finish.

"Harry" The Hare Model No: 1298 — “Harry” The Hare Model No: 1298

Colour can have a substantial effect on collector interest. Pink examples, for instance, are much less frequently encountered than the familiar green versions. See our separate guide to the SylvaC Pink Rabbit, which includes examples and realised auction prices.

SylvaC Dogs

Dogs form another enormous collecting field. More than 200 dog figures are recorded, representing a remarkable variety of breeds and styles.

Terriers were particularly successful, while some of the more humorous models have developed followings of their own. One of the best known is the Toothache Dog, modelled by Reginald Thompson, depicting a seated dog with a bandage around its cheek.

Sylvac Toby Toothache Dog Model No: 3183

Among the scarcer dog designs are the so-called Mac Scottie Dogs. Designed by Czechoslovak-born modeller Otakar Steinburger, these were produced in a series of sizes and depict a seated Scottie dog with a golf ball. They have become a specialised collecting subject in their own right.

Dogs were not confined to stand-alone figures. SylvaC incorporated them into ashtrays, cruets and numerous other novelty wares. One unusual example can be seen in our SylvaC model 1715 Dog Cruet Condiment Set price guide.

SylvaC Designers and Modellers

Several designers and modellers played important roles in creating the distinctive character of SylvaC.

Reginald Thompson joined the company in 1917 and became decorating manager in the early 1920s. His modelling and design work became an important part of the SylvaC story and continued for many decades.

Otakar Steinburger, a Czechoslovak-born freelance modeller working in Britain, produced designs during the pre-war period and is particularly associated with the Mac Scottie dogs.

Stephen Czarnota, a Hungarian modeller who joined the company in the late 1950s, specialised in characterful and often humorous designs, including long-faced dogs and other comic wares.

John Lawson worked alongside Reginald Thompson and Stephen Czarnota during the early 1960s and was involved in modelling numerous animal designs before emigrating to America in 1966.

George Mathews joined in 1966 and developed his own recognisable approach to animals, ornamental ceramics and tableware. His work forms an important part of the later SylvaC period.

Gnomes, Pixies and SylvaC Fancies

The more unusual corners of SylvaC production provide some of the greatest opportunities for collectors looking beyond rabbits and dogs.

Gnomes were produced in several forms and sizes, some reaching around 16 inches in height. Others were incorporated into planters and decorative pieces. Pixies appeared sitting on flowerpots, wheelbarrows and toadstools and were sometimes combined with rabbits or incorporated into simulated tree-trunk bases.

Novelty ranges included House in the Glen, Woodland designs and squirrel-decorated wares, together with an extraordinary assortment of miniature vases, posy troughs and comic animals.

The breadth of these ranges is one reason SylvaC remains such an interesting collecting field: a collection need not consist solely of rows of green rabbits.

SylvaC Squirrels and Other Animals

SylvaC produced animals ranging from domestic cats and dogs to elephants, giraffes, camels, deer, monkeys and birds. Some were naturalistic while others were deliberately comic.

Squirrels became another recurring motif and appeared both as individual models and incorporated into planters and decorative wares. Our SylvaC Squirrel price guide shows model 1144 in the classic green glaze.

Some of the less familiar animals and unusual colourways are considerably more difficult to find than the standard production pieces, making accurate identification by model number particularly useful.

SylvaC Character Jugs and Figures

SylvaC also participated in the British tradition of character and Toby jugs. Many examples appeared during the 1960s, although Shaw & Copestake had produced its own character jugs considerably earlier.

More SylvaC Guides and Price Guides

Explore more SylvaC pottery information and realised prices on World Collectors Net:

The SylvaC Pink Rabbit – History and Price Guide – a closer look at the much scarcer pink colourway, including auction results.
SylvaC Model 1715 Dog Cruet Condiment Set – information and auction prices for this unusual SylvaC novelty cruet.
SylvaC Squirrel Price Guide – a look at the classic SylvaC squirrel model 1144 and its value.

We are continuing to expand our SylvaC reference and price guide with individual models, rare colourways and documented auction results.