On offer at the forthcoming Stephan Welz and Company (Pty) Ltd auction on 17 November this year is a beautiful Carlton Ware luster ginger jar and cover which will be of interest to any serious ceramic collector. Carlton Ware was a famous Stoke-on-Trent based pottery manufacturer and the name is well-known by ceramic collectors the world over. It began its history as the pottery company. Wiltshaw and Robinson in 1890, then 1894 the trademark "Carlton Ware" was introduced and the company's factory was renamed the Carlton Works.

During the late 19th and early 20th century, the factory produced good quality earthenware including Blush Ware, very like designs made by Royal Worcester, as well as other ceramics in similar styles to products from Wedgwood. In the early 1900’s the factory began to make porcelain wares in addition to the famous earthenwares.  In 1918 James Wiltshaw, one of the founding members of the company, was killed in a railway accident and his son took over. Still a young man, he was in tune with the post-war mood and fashions and so the company began to produce stunning new designs that were highly fashionable. They produced their own version of brightly coloured lustre ware and, because it was produced more economically than true lustre ware, Wiltshaw and Robinson called it ‘lustrous’ instead of ‘lustre’. Lot 690, the ginger jar on auction at Stephan Welz and Company, is a fine example of this work.

For more information, contact Ainsley Taylor at 011 8803125.