A pair of Donald Birbeck hand painted vases, in pristine condition no chips, crazing or scratches on either of these pieces. Absolutely beautiful work by the artist Donald Birbeck, personally signed situated on the imagery at the front bottom part of the vase and a stamp mark underside but this is unfortunately illegible. Considering the rarity and uniqueness of the artwork that we can identify the artist, we can also determine the mark underside states the pottery company being Cauldon Ltd stamped above the word ENGLAND. This stamp mark dates c.1904-1920 as this was the timescale Cauldon Ltd were in operation.

Donald Birbeck (1886-1968) is a well known member of a distinguished family of artists, famed for his skill and artistic talents employed by Royal Crown Derby at the Omaston Road factory. Donald Birbeck specialised in the painting of scenes displaying images of birds, fish and other animals.

There is not much known about Donald Birbeck with the exception of his works at Royal Crown Derby there is very little reference to him or his personal life. However what is documented in particular is his name in reference to his works according to RCD collections -

A268 series of “Game” consisting of 13 game bird centre plates including pheasants and mallard, summer ducks, Blue winged Teal, Pintsil ducks, Prairie Hens, Ruffed Grouse, Ptamigan and Canvas black ducks.

-A267- similarly a fish centred series of plates, these are fish scenes taken from paintings by Donald Birbeck made into prints and then enamelled by hand. This series includes Pike (immature), Lake Bream, Perch, Rainbow Trout, Samlets, Grayling, Black basse, Roach, Salmon, Chub, Brown Trout and Lake Bass.

-A295 and A298 - images from these series

-A346 - A Birbeck centre Ely shape “canvas back ducks” plate - dated 1944

-A364 - Birbeck bird scene of Pintail

Between 1905 and 1920 there is reference to Donald Birbeck at Cauldon Ltd.

Similarly what I can only assume is a relative Joseph Birbeck senior who was a member of the distinguished family of artists, famed for his versatile ability, and is perhaps most famous for his game and fish, the latter often portrayed underwater, who had handpainted a set of 12 Game bird plates retailed exclusively at Tiffany & co. New York. He was a highly regarded painter that worked for various potteries (1910).

Again mentioned is a Joseph Birbeck Junior, born in Coalport Shropshire to a family of talented porcelain artists and decorators. His notable work included landscape painting after Turner and he joined Copeland in 1881 before working at Brown, Westhead & Moore and latterly Royal Daulton from 1900-1926.

They is alot of history surrounding the potteries this family all happened to work at during some time of operation. As the stamp underside these vases I assume is Cauldon Ltd England it’s only fitting a bit of knowledge is provided about this pottery company and when this particular stamp was being used.

1904 - Brown-Westhead Moore and co. Established in 1862 incorporated as a limited company and was renamed to Cauldon Ltd. The ownership and manage however remained the same, directors were Mr Frederick T Moore, Mr Joseph Harrison, Mr H.J. Warrington, and Mr John Leyland with Mr P.B Ross as secretary.

1906- Due to sufferings of financial difficulties of Cauldon Ltd £40,000 was raised and through modernisation the reduction of costs and increase of productivity was undertaken, which included a reduction in wages in 1908, preceding to the reduction of capital and number of shares in the company in 1912.

1920- Cauldon Ltd was placed in receivership, furthermore the company was brought out of administration by Mr Harold Robinson and subsequently became Cauldon Potteries Ltd.

Mr Harold Robinson was the proprietor of many pottery businesses and after other heraldic china makers were acquired he formed a holding company in 1910 called J.A Robinson and sons (named after his father) this was then followed by the acquisition of Coalport China (John Rose & co) in 1924.

The name “Royal Cauldon” was used from around 1930

Ware marked “Cauldon Est. 1774 “was used from 1920-1930 and ware marked “Royal Cauldon est.1774” was used from 1930-1962.

The factory Cauldon works was built in 1802 and Cauldon potteries were established in 1920 and their predecessors Cauldon Ltd were in operation between 1905-1920, therefore by no stretch of the imagination was the company “Cauldon Ltd” or “Cauldon potteries Ltd” or the buildings it occupied established in 1774. Moreover it is well known and not uncommon practice for potters working back to find the earliest date they possibly could to incorporate in their back stamp. Also the person who built this factory in 1802 was Job Ridgway who was the son of the well established Potter Ralph Ridgway. so it is likely that the date 1774 has some connection with Ralph Ridgway.

John Ridgway made porcelain at Cauldon place Hanley until 1855 and the pottery John Ridgway, Bates and co. Of Cauldon place worked from 1856-1859 and from 1859-1862 it became Bates, Brown-Westhead, Moore and co. Furthermore fron 1862-1904 it was Brown-Westhead, Moore and co.

1932 - after the effects of the Great depression Cauldon potteries Ltd was placed in receivership with Harold Taylor Robinson declared bankrupt at the same time. Subsequently Cauldon potteries Ltd and its Coalport subsidiary were purchased by Harrison and Son Ltd (Hanley).

1935- Harrison’s consolidated their pottery interests at their George Jones and sons Ltd (Crescent China) works and operated as a group although the 3 companies still maintained their separate identities.

1958- the fine China operations of the group , primarily Coalport but also including parts of Cauldon potteries Ltd and George Jones businesses were sold to E. Brain and co Ltd.

1962- the remaining earthenware business trading as Cauldon Potteries Ltd was in liquidation, the name and goodwill was acquired by Pountrey and co Ltd of Bristol before the closure of the business in 1977.

These pair of vases were made in Ormaston Road factory which was renowned for its ornamental wares and the manufacturer of the intricate shapes and decorated by some of the best porcelain painters of the age, Donald Birbeck being 1 of them.

Stunning collectors pieces in perfect like new condition would definitely make heads turn displaying these vases.

Please look closely at the photos attached to this listing as they are considered part of the description of the condition of the pieces.

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