After the success of our inaugural Research Grants Programme in 2021-22, the ECC is delighted to announce that it will be offering up 3 grants of £1000 each for new research dedicated to the study of British ceramics for 2023-24.
For more information and details on how to apply, see the Grants page on the website
This year’s study visit took place on 22nd and 23rd May 2023 in Leeds and County Durham, spending the first day at Temple Newsam and the second at The Bowes Museum.
At Temple Newsam we had the pleasure of studying and handling the exceptional collection of wares associated with the Leeds Pottery, with expert commentary from Curator Adam Toole and Assistant Curator Caroline Newton. We also has an excellent guided tour of the property, delving into the social history of the building as owned by the Ingrams and latterly, Leeds City Council, who turned it into an important decorative arts museum.
The Bowes Museum was spent looking and handling the Lady Ludlow collection of English Porcelain, one of the finest collections of its type, formed by Lady Alice Wernher/Ludlow through the dealer Albert Amor. Dr Howard Coutts, Curator of Ceramics provided a stimulating and in-depth background to the formation and shape of this collection whilst singling out some exceptional pieces – and some problematic ones – for us to inspect up-close.
The north-eastern weather was kind and the sun shone for the entirety of the fantastic two days. Excellent weather, scenery, company and ceramics made for a very happy group of ECC members!
On Saturday 15 February 2020 there was an ECC Meeting and handling session at the Grade 1 listed Salisbury Museum, which boasts a magnificent collection of English ceramics covering four centuries. The main ceramic Gallery is housed in the Kings Room where there are rare early Worcester and Chelsea items, a full set of the Bow Five Senses and a famous New Canton inkwell. There is a separate room devoted to the Brixie Jarvis Collection of Wedgwood. The ECC committee chose items from the reserve collection for handling.
Morning Programme in the Museum included a handling session in the Ceramic Gallery.
Afternoon ECC Meeting programme in the Museum Lecture Hall with talks by:
Rosemary Pemberton: Contributions towards the History of J E Nightingale: Ceramic Author and Collector of Salisbury
Clare Durham: From Salisbury With Love The story of the sale of the first recorded c18th-century American porcelain teapot for £500,000.
Michael Jeffery: Martin Brothers – The Potters, Patrons and Purchasers of the last 150 Years
On 4 October 2019 ECC Members and friends of the Museum of Royal Worcester attended a Worcester Porcelain Study Day held in the Henry Sandon Hall at the Museum.
Attendees were delighted to hear a celebratory address at the event from Henry Sandon himself in his own hall.
Attendees heard talks about the Worcester factory by five expert speakers:
The ECC is delighted to announce its first ever research grant programme. We are seeking applications from members and non-members alike to assist new research on British ceramics and enamels made or decorated in the British Isles from c1600 to the present day.
A grant fund of £4,000 has been created and applicants may apply for any individual amount up to £4,000. The application process opens immediately and the window for applications closes on 31 August 2021. Please visit the Grants page of this English Ceramic Circle website for more information and an application form.
