Blue, white gives value to otherwise tired bowl-pitcher set

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By Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson | SCRIPPS HOWARD | Saturday, October 8, 2005 10:19 PM CDT | () comments

SCRIPPS HOWARD - This English bowl and pitcher set is circa 1850 and in blue and white is very popular with collectors.

Q: This bowl and pitcher set was handed down to me from my grandmother (and I am now 87). The bowl is 131/2 inches in diameter and the pitcher is 101/2 inches high. It is marked in an oval “Cologne” and some initials “Alcock” and something else, plus “Cobridge.” I would like to know the value. Thank you. — J. L., Goffstown, N.H.

A: There was a time in the recent past when bowl and pitcher sets were immensely popular with collectors, especially those who were trying to create the feel of a 19th century interior with washstands and the accessories that went with them. On the current antiques market, however, the interest has declined just a bit, but this English blue and white set is still quite popular just because it is English blue and white.

It should be understood that in the days before indoor plumbing these sets were a common necessity found in nearly every home. Bowls and pitcher sets were part of the standard household equipment, and most homes of moderate means had at least two of them, if not more. Generally, every bedroom had one so that the residents of that space could perform morning and evening ablutions in the privacy of their chambers.

These bowl and pitcher sets could be quite extensive and often included matching toothbrush holders, soap dishes, hot water pitchers, slop jars and chamber pots among other things. The larger and more inclusive the set, the more interest collectors have in it. But if there is just one thing left in a grouping, the bowl and pitcher set is the most desirable.

The two pieces belonging to J. L. have a transfer printed decoration of fanciful buildings in a wooded setting with a small group of people — maybe 19th century tourists — in the foreground.

In any event, the name of the pattern is “Cologne” and the maker is one of the Alcock firms that worked in Staffordshire, England, in the 19th century. But which one?

John and George Alcock started making earthenwares in Cobridge, Staffordshire, in 1839 and continued until 1846. They often marked their pieces “J & G. Alcock Cobridge.” This company was succeeded in the same location by John and Samuel Alcock Junior, which marked their wares “J & S Alcock Jr., Cobridge,” but they were in business for only a short time from 1848-1850.

This firm was in turn succeeded by John Alcock alone, who worked in this location from 1853-1861 and then by Henry Alcock and Co., in business from 1861-1910. Peering and squinting through a magnifying glass, we believe the initials on this piece are “J & S Alcock” with maybe a “Jr.” following, and this gives us a very narrow 1848-1850 date for these two pieces. Luckily, the color of the blue bears out this dating as well.

As for the value of this set, that depends on the condition, and we do (sadly) see a hairline crack in the bottom of one piece. This is not terribly distressing because bowl and pitcher sets such as this one received constant and rough use, and few pieces escaped without at least a little damage.

Still, a crack is a deduction and if there are no other chips or cracks, the insurance replacement value should be in the range of $600 to $700.

Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of the “Price It Yourself” (HarperResource, $19.95). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.