Victorian Pottery Plaque Watcombe Ware c1900

Description

Tennis Rackets and Ball Pottery Plaque – Watcombe, Torquay c1900

A wonderful red Devon clay wall plaque in the form of two rackets tied with a ribbon and a ball. Back stamped Watcombe Torquay. This item measures 25.5cms high by 34cms across. The details of the rackets include whipped throats, convex wedges, and stringing.

The Watcombe Pottery existed for nearly one hundred years during which they produced a wonderful and varied amount of pottery much of it unique but also in the style and trends of Torquay and of the times.  It was in the grounds of Watcombe House near Torquay that the fine red Devon clay was first discovered about 1865. This prompted the owner a G. P. Allen to establish the Watcombe Terracotta Clay Company off Teignmouth Road, St. Mary church in 1869 with Charles Brock a Staffordshire potter to train the local workers and supervise the experience Staffordshire ones like William Samuel Bond.

This item is in excellent condition.