Enoch Wood was perhaps the Potteries most illustrious son. His career spanned six decades (1783-1840). Some of the figures he produced are remarkable accomplishments, but most are rather ordinary. Today, examples in nice condition are far from ordinary, and they make fine additions to a collection.
Enoch Wood used several marks over his career, but he used them only rarely. Perhaps the best known mark is the impressed "WOOD & CALDWELL" mark he used while in partnership with James Caldwell from January 1791 to July 1818.
Enoch Wood used several marks over his career, but he used them only rarely. Perhaps the best known mark is the impressed "WOOD & CALDWELL" mark he used while in partnership with James Caldwell from January 1791 to July 1818.
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This Britannia in the Brighton Museum has a Wood & Caldwell mark impressed on the back. Silver luster, such as you see on Britannia's helmet, bodice and breastplate, was only introduced commercially in 1805, so you can date this marked figure to 1805-1818. Unmarked examples of Britannia without silver luster can theoretically date from anywhere within the Enoch Wood period because Enoch Wood probably continued making Britannia from these very molds long after his business partnership with James Caldwell ceased.
Look at the four-petalled pink flower on the center front of Britannia's base. It occurs on figures with the Wood & Caldwell mark, and on unmarked figures that link to Enoch Wood. In other words, Enoch Wood used this flower during and after his partnership with James Caldwell. This flower is akin to an Enoch Wood signature.
Look at the four-petalled pink flower on the center front of Britannia's base. It occurs on figures with the Wood & Caldwell mark, and on unmarked figures that link to Enoch Wood. In other words, Enoch Wood used this flower during and after his partnership with James Caldwell. This flower is akin to an Enoch Wood signature.
This is a close up look at the same Enoch Wood flower on another figure.
The little leaves and other small flowers on the base of Britannia are like those on many other figures Enoch Wood made--but other potters used similar leaves and flowers. Similarly, most Enoch Wood bocages are very like those used by other potters. With some exceptions (to be discussed at a later date), these bocage forms are not specific to Enoch Wood, so they cannot help us identify an Enoch Wood figure. But that large flower never fails. Here you see it again in the stock of Castle Antiques.
Can you see the large orange flower on the base of the doe? That's the Enoch Wood flower. Lots of other things about this pair of deer are quite typical of Enoch Wood. In particular, note the bocage fronds, best viewed from the reverse of the figures.
Each bocage frond has one leaflet carefully placed atop four others. This is a typical Enoch Wood form. But it is not an Enoch Wood 'exclusive', which is why that large flower on the base is so essential for attribution.
The base of the stag, viewed from beneath is rather interesting.
The base of the stag, viewed from beneath is rather interesting.
A workman scratched his initials "NN" into the clay, under the glaze. We don't know his identity, but somehow the initials personalize the figure and link us to a long-dead creator.
But back to that Enoch Wood flower. Here you see a very generous scattering of them on a small spill vase, formerly in the stock of Andrew Dando.
But back to that Enoch Wood flower. Here you see a very generous scattering of them on a small spill vase, formerly in the stock of Andrew Dando.
Pretty, are they not? This flower really is an invaluable tool in attributing an unmarked figure to Enoch Wood. There are other tools, and they will be laid out in detail with clear photographs in my next book. A sort of identikit, if you will.
The little details on our figures matter. They elevate collecting from mere mindless acqusition to an intellectual pursuit. Most figures in your collection are screaming at you, wanting you to piece together their puzzle. So start looking, And shout if you have questions.
The little details on our figures matter. They elevate collecting from mere mindless acqusition to an intellectual pursuit. Most figures in your collection are screaming at you, wanting you to piece together their puzzle. So start looking, And shout if you have questions.
