Possible Beemaster attribution?

By Richard Halliday
It is true to say that attribution by shape can be a dangerous and
misleading thing. Historically, many shapes were shared and
indeed copied from one potter to another; after all, imitation is
the sincerest form of flattery! Not only were shapes copied within
pottery circles, but also ideas were borrowed from silver shapes,
porcelain and even glass. Therefore, attribution based purely on
shape can be very difficult. However, I hope that the pieces in this
article will be food for thought and lead to a positive attribution to
one of the iconic transferware patterns; Beemaster.
The first set of images are of a British Views series pickle set. The
two-handled fitted set has five separate and removable dishes. It is
11.5 from handle to handle and has the series title mark printed to
the underside. You will notice that there is a small dip in the rim to
allow the easy removal of the central dish. This series has long been
attributed to Hicks and Meigh, although on the database, it remains
maker unknown.

The second set of images are of a Beemaster pattern pickle set

tray, c.1825. It too, is 11.5 from handle to handle and is totally
unmarked. There is also a dip in the rim on this example. An image
of the full pickle set, including the five removable pickle dishes can
be seen on page 157 of The Dictionary of Blue and White Printed
Pottery, Volume II.

You will notice that not only are both pieces the same overall shape
and style, but they also have identically shaped handles. These
ornate and rather snake-like handles are very distinctive and Ive
never seen them on anything else other than these pieces. The only
difference, other than the pattern, between these two sets, is that
the dips in the rim are at different locations or rather, at different
orientations; one is at the top of the pattern and the other is at the
bottom. I am sure that there is nothing significant in this, only that
the patterns were transferred differently. In addition to the shapes
being identical, you will notice that the handles on both pieces are
decorated with exactly the same fill transfer.
10 TCC Bulletin

Just to add to the debate further, below are images of a high quality
Rogers Fallow Deer pattern fitted set within a tray, c.1825. The
tray is 12.5 from handle to handle and all pieces are impressed
ROGERS to the underside. Each diamond-shaped dish is removable
and are all 10.25 by 6. It may well be a pickle set, but as the fitted
dishes are probably too large for serving pickles, it could be for
another use altogether, probably hors-doeurves. Nonetheless, it is a
very rare and super piece. Although the overall shape and size of this
fitted set are different from the above two examples, the similarities
of the handles must not be ignored.

I know that it is far too early to start suggesting that Beemaster was
produced by Hicks and Meigh or indeed Rogers, but the discovery
of these handle similarities certainly pose intriguing possibilities.
The attribution of the British Views series was a shape attribution
based on tureen knop likenesses between known Hicks and Meigh
knops and knops from the British Views series. This can be seen in
a piece written by Margaret Ironside on page 2, FoB 85. Maybe the
handles and shape of the above sets will prove or possibly disprove
this thought and could lead to a more certain and substantiated
attribution. Hopefully, other members will be able to add to this
discovery as I feel that it is very important that these types of
findings are both noted and recorded. I guess this just illustrates one
of the joys of transferware; new ideas, thoughts and revelations are
always occurring!
TCC Bulletin 11