Update - November 2005

The Flower Vase

The flower vase popularly known as the 'Castle' was described by Myott as 'The Tower'. Quoting from the Pottery & Glass Record of 1935, "A new vase of quite unique shape is called the Tower; and in spite of its eccentricity (or perhaps because of it) it has already been favourably noticed by buyers."

Myotts purchase G.T. Mountford 1898

Definitive evidence has now been found which confirms that the original business known as G.T. Mountford at Alexander Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent was purchased by the Myott family in 1898 and Ashley Myott installed as General Manager. A letter dated 31st March 1898 reads as follows:

Update - January 2005

Research

We have continued our research through trade magazines and archives, and have uncovered further information on the names Myott Son & Co gave to their highly popular jugs and vases during the 1930s.

There was clearly an Eastern influence on the Myotts around this time as they advertised their ware as 'The Tunisian', 'The Persian', and 'The Egyptian'. It is reported that the shape of the Persian jug was a reproduction of one from Ashley Myott's collection of Persian pottery.

'The Persian' jug we have already identified as the jug that today is commonly referred to as the 'Pinch Neck'. Further research has shown the jug currently described as the 'Square Neck' was originally called 'The Tunisian'.

Persian Jug	Tunisian Jug

Egyptian Jug

The Pottery and Glass Record reported in 1933 that the Myott Company was showing these two jugs at their London showroom. This was based in Fearon House, Holborn Viaduct. The trade magazine noted "In flower jugs available in a variety of hand painted designs, two of the new shapes reveal a distinction of planning and harmony of execution as between form, pattern and colourings. These are the "Tunisian" and "Persian" whose inspiration is characteristically conveyed in the latter by a pinched-in neck, and the former with its narrow neck and bulging base and foot".

The 'Apple Picker' jug was also highlighted in the Pottery and Glass Record. It was described as having "a novel embossment design, the handle being composed of a little boy up a tree, while there is a girl picking apples". The sales advertisement described this piece as 'The Arcadia'.

The Arcadia

In 1933 the 'globular' or 'football' vase was shown for the first time. The trade records described it as 'The Bulb Bowl', "intrinsically attractive … with embossed contours resting on four feet, an excellent autumn trade piece".

Bulb Bowl

Jugs, vases and posy rings, popularly described as 'basket ware', were introduced in 1937 and were referred to by the Myott Company as 'Rustic Ware'.

Additional Pattern Names

In addition to the Pattern Names listed in 'The Mystery of Myott', we have discovered the following:

Pattern Numbers

We continue to research pattern numbers and hope to be able to produce a data base which should help with more accurate dating of Myott ware, particularly for those pieces with no pattern name.

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This page was last updated in November 2005.