"Beth Tarling pursued a truck for a significant distance to inquire from the driver about purchasing his terracotta pot, gathering her preferred collection pieces in the process"
Identifying Vintage Terracotta Flowerpots by Richard Sankey & Son
In the quaint village of Gunwalloe on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, Mrs. Tarling has achieved a remarkable feat - assembling a complete set of every size of pot that was handthrown by Richard Sankey & Son, a renowned Nottinghamshire pottery. This journey began over a decade ago, sparked by a BBC2 program that discussed the numbering system of flowerpots.
The quest for vintage terracotta flowerpots involves examining specific characteristics such as makers’ marks, style, clay composition, and signs of age consistent with the period of production.
Look for maker’s marks or stamps
Richard Sankey & Son typically impressed their name, initials, or specific marks on their pottery. Check the base or sides of the pot for any embossed or incised marks. These marks can be cross-referenced with known Sankey potters' marks from pottery maker catalogs or collectors’ databases.
Analyze the clay and firing style
Vintage terracotta from Richard Sankey & Son often used locally sourced clay with distinct texture and color, showing characteristics of traditional handcraft methods from their operational era (predominantly 19th to early 20th century). Older pots may have irregularities and imperfections consistent with historical handmade techniques.
Examine the design and style
Sankey pots were known for utilitarian yet aesthetically simple designs suited for nursery and garden use. Specific design details such as rim shape, wall thickness, and drainage hole placement may hint at particular production dates or decades.
Assess signs of aging and wear
Look for natural patina, crazing (fine cracks), mineral deposits, or wear marks from long-term use outdoors. These can help distinguish genuinely vintage items from modern reproductions which tend to have more uniform appearance and fewer imperfections.
Research historical manufacturing periods
Richard Sankey & Son was active largely around the late 1800s to early 1900s. Dating can be more precise by correlating maker’s marks and design elements with historical records and catalogs from that timeframe.
Consult expert or collector guides
Pottery collector references specializing in British or terracotta pottery can help verify the authenticity of marks and styles. Online antique forums and auction sites sometimes provide visual comparisons and dating insights specific to Richard Sankey & Son pottery.
While current listings and DIY guides on terracotta planter styling and maintenance provide useful context about terracotta treatment and appearance, they do not specifically address identification of vintage Sankey pots. Thus, focusing on maker’s marks, provenance, and physical characteristics remains essential for accurate identification and dating.
If available, archival catalogs or museum collections including Richard Sankey & Son’s products are invaluable for comparison. Professional appraisal or pottery expertise may be necessary for definitive dating and authentication.
- A collector's pursuit of vintage terracotta flowerpots from Richard Sankey & Son should involve analyzing the design and style, as these pots are known for their utilitarian yet aesthetically simple designs that were often used for nursery and garden purposes.
- To authenticate a terracotta pot as a genuine Richard Sankey & Son piece, one must look for maker’s marks or stamps typically impressed on the pottery, and cross-reference these marks with known Sankey potters' marks from pottery maker catalogs or collectors’ databases.
