Unnamed (Pied Piper) from the collection of Adrienne T. Boggs

Unnamed (Pied Piper), c. 1871-1890

Earthenware

9.5 x 9.5 in (24.13 x 24.13 cm)

Not For Sale

Plate, 9.5 inches diameter. Impressed maker's mark for Thomas Furnival & Sons. There is also a painted pattern number of "W892N." This amusing pattern is perhaps an interpretation of the old German tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Instead of attracting rats, however, here the piper in his pied clothing attracts an assortment of dancing villagers and animals, including a pig standing on its hind legs. The border consists of a simple gilded line.

Following involvement in previous partnerships, from 1851 Jacob and Thomas Furnival became partners at J & T Furnival. As well as earthenware manufacturers, they were in business as Grinders of Potters’ Materials at Etruria Vale, in the borough of Hanley. In 1859 Jacob Furnival, Thomas Furnival, and Francis Joseph Emery applied for a patent for “Improvements in apparatus for supporting articles of china and earthenware in kilns and ovens.” In May 1864 the partnership between Jacob and Thomas Furnival was dissolved and the business was continued by Thomas Furnival. Around 1871, Thomas Furnival the younger joined the business which became Thomas Furnival and Son. In 1876, another son, Samuel Bourne Furnival joined the business, which became Thomas Furnival and Sons. Around 1883 the company found itself in financial difficulty with liabilities of £60,000 (around £5 million in 2020 terms). In 1884 there was a notice of “Liquidation by Agreement” which allowed the company to trade out of its difficulties. Thomas Furnival Sr. retired in 1890 and the business was continued by his sons Thomas, Samuel, and Arthur. The style of the business became Furnivals.

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From Adrienne T. Boggs

Worcester Royal Porcelain Co.

Unnamed (Patchwork Cartouches), c. 1883

Earthenware

6.75 x 6.75 in (17.15 x 17.15 cm)
Doulton & Co.

Unnamed (Peony), c. 1882

Earthenware

7.75 x 7.75 in (19.69 x 19.69 cm)
Pinder, Bourne & Co.

Unnamed (Peaceful Mourning), c. 1879

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9.25 x 9.25 in (23.5 x 23.5 cm)
Pinder, Bourne & Co.

Unnamed (Pheasants Perched in a Prunus Tree), c. 1862-1882

Earthenware

8.75 x 8.75 in (22.23 x 22.23 cm)
Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co.

Unnamed (Petunias), c. 1862-1890

Earthenware

9 x 9 in (22.86 x 22.86 cm)
Sherwin & Cotton

Unnamed (Pinwheel), Rd. 9 January 1880

Earthenware

6 x 6 in (15.24 x 15.24 cm)
Worcester Royal Porcelain Co.

Unnamed (Pinecones & Needles), Rd. 9 September 1881

Earthenware

5.75 x 5.75 in (14.61 x 14.61 cm)
Thomas Furnival & Sons

Unnamed (Pied Piper), c. 1871-1890

Earthenware

9.5 x 9.5 in (24.13 x 24.13 cm)

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Additional Details

Additional Artworks

Unnamed (Patchwork Cartouches), c. 1883

Unnamed (Peony), c. 1882

Unnamed (Peaceful Mourning), c. 1879

Unnamed (Pheasants Perched in a Prunus Tree), c. 1862-1882

Unnamed (Petunias), c. 1862-1890

Unnamed (Pinwheel), Rd. 9 January 1880

Unnamed (Pinecones & Needles), Rd. 9 September 1881

Unnamed (Pied Piper), c. 1871-1890