Archive Search Page

Mrs. Nuttall with the plate and containers. Does anyone know their origin?

From a Woman's Angle Feature by Winifred Bose:
Padiham antique dealers may be interested in helping us with an appeal from a Burnley woman for information regarding an old plate, probably made by a Padiham potter. The plate is owned by Mrs. Selina Nuttall of Brownhill Avenue, Burnley, who came by it after the death of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Maud Roberts. Having made enquiries at Burnley Central Library, she came to the Burnley Express to see if we could help.

The plate is octagonal, about 10 inches in diameter, and bears a picture of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, and another one of the old church at Padiham, on its face. The picture of St. Leonard's Church is taken from quite a popular old view of the town, showing the market stalls. There are also what appear to be orchids and maize leaves on the face. On the back are the markings "Rd No. 7624" and two concentric circles with the word "Potter" in the outer circle and "Padiham" in the inner. Mrs. Nuttall thinks it may be over 100 years old, because the oldest business directory at the library is dated in the 1870's and there is no reference to a Padiham potter in it. Her mother-in-law belonged to the very old Padiham family of Pollards, and she thinks this is how the plate came into the family. Mrs. Nuttall also has a pair of unusual china containers, which could have been used for condiments, and is eager to learn the history of these.