English Ceramics

New York: Alpine Fine Arts, 1981. Hardbound. VG (May have former owner's embossed stamp on tp, otherwise clean.). Lavender cloth with white, color-illustrated dust jacket. 268 pp., 56 color and 128 bw plates. A resource first published in 1961. "The masterpieces of English pottery and porcelain from medieval times through the end of the eighteenth century are the subject of this carefully researched documentary history. Apart from being excellent decorations and a collector's delight, ceramics also throw much light on the customs and fashions of the time when they were made. They are, in fact, an important social document. ... George Savage, who might justly be called the 'Sherlock Holmes of ceramics' has turned in a brilliant piece of detective work in this definitive collection of the best in English ceramic art." (dj) The book is divided into two parts: Pottery and Porcelain. Part one covers Medieval and tin-enameled wares; slip ware, English stoneware; Asbury, Whieldon, and associated wares; the figures of Ralph Wood and others; and the wares of Josiah Wedgwood. Part two covers Chelsea (West London), Bow (East London), Derby (Derbyshire), the Worcester factory and its origins, Longton Hall (Staffordshire), Lowestoft (Suffolk), and Plymouth and Bristol. Includes a selected bibliography. Whew!