The show is comprised of 18th century English pieces from the Roy Hogarth collection. Built up over 25 years, it focuses on figures from the rarer factories and those that defy easy categorisation.
Hogarth, who is based in British Columbia, originally aimed to collect a figure from each factory. Though the goal was ultimately unrealised, his introduction to the exhibition catalogue relates the efforts of an enthusiastic and energetic collector in contact with many of the porcelain trade’s recognisable names.
For instance, he recalls flying from Canada to London to queue up in front of Simon Spero’s shop for nearly 30 hours. He also credits London porcelain dealer Rod Jellicoe with inspiring him to start the collection. Jellicoe was recently the winning bidder (on behalf of the Met) for the John Bartlam teapot at Woolley & Wallis (ATG No 2331).
Explore alternatives
The exhibition at E&H Manners opens on March 14 at 5pm and includes around 35 works. Many are from factories that produced scarcely any sculptural work such as Limehouse, Vauxhall, Liverpool, Worcester, Caughley and Plymouth. A selection from Chelsea, Bow and The St James’s (Girl-in-a-Swing) Factory of Charles Gouyn also features.
Errol Manners, who runs the gallery alongside wife Henriette and son Henry, anticipates the exhibition as “an opportunity to explore some of the unresolved questions of English porcelain”, to question some traditional attributions and suggest alternatives.
Though many of the pieces on offer are not necessarily very expensive, they offer a wealth of interesting rarities.
