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Not strictly Anglo-Boer War, this pair of plates appears to have been made to commemorate the renewal of an Oranje Vrijstaat Spoorwegen (Orange Free State Railways) contract. Each with a transfer print of the OVS coat of arms and the words "VERVERSCHING CONTRACT".









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At first glance, this appears to be a French "Barbotine" (slipware) tobacco jar, and was purchased from a French vendor as such. However, given that it has the same model number (8162 impressed into the base) as Bernard Bloch's bust of General Botha, it is either a clever copy of the latter or an atypical high-glazed vesrion of a Bloch humidor. Bernard Bloch's pieces were usually cold-painted. There is no evidence of an impressed Bloch "BB" maker's mark. SEE: Bernard Bloch Tobacco Jars











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A stoneware bust of Baden-Powell I haven't seen before, and modelled by a sculptor (A.M. Kavanagh) I can find very little about. As figures of Roberts & Buller by the same artist were retailed by an Exeter store, I assume these were made by one of the Devon potteries.

Reverse inscribed: "A.M. KAVANAGH Sc. / Copyright / March 30 1900".

Somewhat larger than the better-known Parian bust of Baden-Powell (25.5 cm opposed to 22 cm high). SEE: Robinson and Leadbeater Parian Busts











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Neville, with reference to the Bernard Bloch “Botha” jars: The details (with exception of the hair) in the stoneware example are more clearly defined (nostrils, nose, ears). The glazed version also seems to be slightly tilted backwards. I do not know how such items are copied but the glazed version had some structure added to the hair (well noticeable above the ear and in the moustache) and has indentures in the collar button. Overall, the stoneware version has sharper details, is considerably better finished (compare the lips) and looks much more natural than the glazed version. It seems to me unlikely that Bloch would have accepted a quality difference of this magnitude and my money is on a third-party copy by someone who changed some colours and added a few unnecessary details, perhaps to avoid legal issues.

Another piece by Charles Hubert Brannam (1855-1937), of the Royal Barum Pottery Works, Barnstaple, Devon.

This is the only example of this beaker I have come across. Mis-catalogued by the auctioneer as WWI.

Inscribed with a verse of Kipling's "Absent-Minded Beggar":

There are girls he married secret, asking no permission to,
For he knew he wouldn’t get it if he did.
There is gas and coals and vittles, and his house-rent falling due,
And it’s more than rather likely there’s a kid.
There are girls he walked with casual. They’ll be sorry now he’s gone,
For an absent-minded beggar they will find him,
But it ain't the time for sermons with the winter coming on
We must help the girl that Tommy’s left behind him!

Cook’s son – Duke’s son – son of belted Earl
Son of a Lambeth Publican – it’s all the same to-day!
Each of ‘em doing his country’s work, and who’s to look after the girl,
Pass the hat for your credit’s sake and Pay, Pay, Pay!

Base signed: “FB / C.H. Brannam / Barum / 1900”.
















For further examples of Charles Brannam's work, SEE: C.H. Brannam, of Royal Barum Ware, Barnstaple

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