Linthorpe Pottery Aesthetic Movement biscuit barrel with lid and handle c1880. Produced whilst Dr Christopher Dresser was artist director at Linthorpe and characteristic of Dresser designs. The barrel is of truncated conical form with white metal collar and swing handle. White metal circular lid with finial handle. Repeated stylised floral design to lid. White metal mounts and lid, whilst unmarked will be silver plated (as was typically used by Linthorpe on these items). Sumptuous drip-glaze colours and slight surface iridescence to the ceramic body. Impressed Linthorpe Pottery mark to base, HT for Henry Tooth and design number 945. The barrel measures 16 cm in height to top of finial and 13.5 cm in diameter at the base. 
 
In 1879 John Harrison (a local businessman) established Linthorpe Pottery in conjunction with Christopher Dresser, one of the most influential designers of the late 19th century. Dresser acted as artistic director at the Pottery until 1882 and continued to submit designs whilst the Pottery remained in production. Dresser recommended Henry Tooth, an artist from Buckinghamshire working at that time on the Isle of Wight, as pottery manager. Henry Tooth, with no prior experience of clay or pottery left Ryde for Linthorpe, spending time at the T.G. Green pottery in Church Gresley, Derbyshire to get a foundation in ceramics. Henry Tooth had brought Richard Patey with him from the Isle of Wight, who managed the pottery after he left in 1882 (to establish to Bretby Pottery in partnership with William Ault). Linthorpe Pottery was only in existence between 1879 and 1889. For more information on Linthorpe Pottery visit our Maker's History pages.