HISTORY OF COPPER LUSTER WARE

During the 1820-1860 periods there were a number of Staffordshire factories producing these luster pieces. Attribution to specific potters was not really possible since most luster ware pieces of this vintage were unmarked.

COPPER LUSTER OPEN SALT, C. 1860

COPPER LUSTER JUG, C. 1850

However as we all know from experience and research, the majority of this ware was being produced in the Staffordshire District of England. The majority of copper luster pottery is and has been attributed to Staffordshire production over the years. Therefore when one finds an unmarked piece it is more than likely of Staffordshire origin. This is not to say that Scotland and the USA did not produce some. However USA began some production closer to the 1850-1860 Period. Pieces that had relief with hand painting over glaze were as early as 1820 and continued up to 1860. After 1850 luster pieces became less ornate and were using a “brush stroke” technique as a form of hand painting and were more naive in terms of decoration. By 1860 pieces were less ornate; molded relief or embossed work was almost a thing of the past. Now the potters were emphasizing hues of luster resist in terms of glazes and were complimenting their pieces with variations of multicolored banding with little brush stroke naive florals as a technique to give the pieces a more alluring charm. Such luster ware pieces were referred to either as copper resist, copper luster and luster ware. Either terminology is technically correct. This original type of pottery production was basically terminated by 1880.

By 1890 other English factories began what we call technically “reproductions” of these earlier wares; however these newer pieces were marked by the various factories and are substantially lower in quality and in value. One such company that began this resurgence was the factory Allertons of Staffordshire . Again by 1930-1940, George Wade created flashy and gaudy reproductions quite “unlike” the originals. His creations were usually large gaudy hand painted flowers that were partially hand transferred. The quality of clay ingredients were quite different and were of a less weighty and more porous earthenware. The original copper luster was heavier and had more iron content. Some of the very early pieces that date 1820-1830 were exquisite and were even executed on a “pearlware” medium, a light-weight earthenware body that preceded the heavier medium, ironstone. As we approached the 1840s most factories used a more weighty “ironstone” body for their medium of production to create their copper luster.

As years go bye, the thirst for old country charm designates this kind of pottery to a realm of its own. It works well as decorating accents when creating a country theme. It creates a charm and pleasantly unites the past with the present. There is really no need to buy reproductions of this ware when it is still available at affordable prices. Remember, reproductions are not necessarily cheap in the long run. Reproductions are not investments but are mainly produced for decorative purposes only.