F. WINKLE BLUE AND WHITE ANTIQUE WASH BOWL IRVING PATTERN

This ornately embossed or relief molded Art Nouveau Wash Bowl was manufactured by F. Winkle Company in the Town of Stoke, Staffordshire, England approximately 1900.

It measures 16” Diameter by 4 1/2" Depth Or Height. The rose design was named “Irving” for identification of this transfer print. Geoffrey Godden’s Encyclopedia of marks suggests that the factory used the same cartouche mark from circa 1890-1925.

Originally this bowl was part of a lavatory set and was accompanied by a large wash jug/pitcher. Unfortunately over the years these sets got separated from their former set amount of pieces which usually consisted of about 8-10 pieces to compose a complete lavatory set.

COMMENT: This Gracious Art Nouveau Wash Bowl Flaunts Large Roses On The Interior And A Large Rose On The Exterior Sides. It is a great quality transfer which is considered as “light flow blue” transferware by most dealers and collectors because of its darkness and somewhat smudgy effect. Although not being avidly dark or deeply smudgy, it is considered somewhat “light flow blue” amongst many of the modern day collectors and dealers.

Having been an ardent collector of Georgian-Victorian Flow Blue and Late Art Nouveau Flow Blue that was “intensely dark” on the interiors, exteriors and foot rims, I personally would consider this to be great “dark blue & white” transfer.

In many cases this issue is argued by many dealers, collectors and modern day writers as to: when does the darker “blue & white” begin to be considered “flow blue”? Whatever, all Flow Blue is firstly Blue & White (Transferware) that has been transferred onto an Earthenware/Pottery Body/Medium (early flow blue was on "ironstone" and the later flow blue was on a thiner earthenware medium which is commonly referred to as “Semi Porcelain”. (For further in-depth information about semi porcelain, transferware & flow blue, go to Home page, click Media and read our published articles).

Today many collectors use these wonderful objects of the past as collector/decorator items to accessorize country charm at the cottage. These objects work like a good marriage with Primitives. The combination of Victorian Transferware with Primitive creates a charming ambiance & warmth that looks and feels like one is living in a bygone era.

Many if not most of these ornate lavatory pieces were produced during the Victorian Era to accommodate the bedroom of the more affluent household when of course there was no running water and flushing toilets. A Ewer Set (Jug & Basin) always graced the Wash Stand in every bedroom such that the persons awakening or retiring could wash themselves after having used the other accessory pieces. The more ornately molded and high quality transfer pieces always were found in the more affluent household whereas the heavy plain white ironstone was to be found more so in the countryside household.

CONDITION: This Fabulous Decorative Wash Bowl is in excellent condition!

F. WINKLE & COMPANY HISTORY Originally this factory was begun by Winkle & Wood who began building this factory in 1888 and opened it in 1890 which they called the Colonial Pottery Works which was located at Stoke, Staffordshire, England.

F. Winkle worked at the Colonial Pottery outlet whereas Wood continued at the Pearl Pottery Works at Hanley, Staffordshire, England where both originally operated in partnership with Hines from1885-1890. The F. Winkle Company existed from 1890-1931. Over the course of some forty years, they used several cartouche marks.

The F. Winkle Company was renowned for their very good quality transfer ware and quality clay composition. Their semi porcelain was high quality and was not prone to crazing or staining and their glazes were also high quality. One of their most popular blue & white patterns was called Togo which is absolutely gorgeous. Many of the pieces bordered on being considered flow blue because of the darkness and intensity of the cobalt blue color. “Togo” pattern was also transferred in a beautiful deep pink which the French call “Vieux Rose”.