Inkwell, Chinese Family in Garden

Item Number: M75
Shape Type: Inkwell
Pattern Name: Chinese Family in Garden
Date: c. 1808
Dimensions:  H: 2.75″
Maker: Herculaneum
Description:
A very rare and historically important earthenware inkwell printed in blue with the Chinese Family in Garden pattern. The pattern is also known as Laughing Dog.  On the reverse side is another pattern named simply Large Vase on Table. This pattern is taken from a Chinese export porcelain design. This piece was hand inscribed on the base “William Roberts, September the 15 1808 “. Herculaneum expert, Peter Hyland wrote to me to confirm that the piece was made by Herculaneum and stated the following regarding the inscription: “I do know that a Roberts family lived and worked at Herculaneum. Ralph Roberts is listed in 1820 as working in the “green warehouse”. I am going to speculate here – it is possible that William Roberts was either an elder brother or the father of Ralph and had died by 1820. He would have come to Herculaneum from Staffordshire, but I can’t find him in the Staffordshire lists that I have. It is a sad fact that a large number of pottery workers were not listed anywhere. As Ralph worked in the green warehouse, it may be that he was taught the necessary skills by his father, and if the father was William and had also worked in the green warehouse, then it makes the inscription on the ink pot more than likely. ‘Green ware’, of course, means ware which is formed but not yet fired, and is hardening and drying out. It is only at that stage that the inscription could have been done.”
Condition:  Very good. Minor professional restoration to the rim.