Myott Transferware ~ A brief history and a tablescape

Myott, Son & Co. Ltd., an earthenware producing factory operated originally from the Alexander Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, in the North of England. It was established in 1898 and run by two brothers, 

Ashley and Sydney Myott.  With growing demand for their wares, the company expanded and moved to the Brownfield's Works in Cobridge, which is North of Stoke-on-Trent.  By 1925 they had extended the operation to the adjacent Upper Hanley Pottery.

 Myott began producing hand painted Art Deco wares of which the varied range of pitchers and vases were in high demand.   Many of these pieces survive today suggesting that output was extensive.  These Deco pieces display the famous gold Myott crown mark on the base. White ware was produced for the Cunard shipping company with the provision of cubist style tea sets.

Until recent years, the history of the Myott Pottery at Stoke and Cobridge has been somewhat mysterious due to a fire taking place in 1949 which is said to have destroyed many of the official records and pattern design books.  Definitive evidence relative to the Myott company was found in this letter dated to 1898:

The company relocated again after 1949 to the larger Crane Street Pottery in Hanley and in 1969 were taken over by an American corporation Interpace. 1976 saw the company merge with Alfred Meakin Limited. The name was then lost after the company was taken over by the Churchill Group.

Myott produced many transferware patterns in addition to the Art Deco pieces.  Tonight my tablescape is using the pattern Bermuda, it is a rich chocolate brown transfer with handpainted shades of burgundy, yellow and green.  It's stunning!



I began with an embroidered organza napkin angled on the table.  

Next I added four vintage lace trimmed napkins that I placed at an angle on the table, allowing each to hang over the edge a bit.  These are some my Mom gave me...she used them for dinner parties when I was a little girl....all those many moons ago....

I then added my new favorite Medallion placemats by Heritage Lace.  They are a richly detailed lace in a chocolate brown color.  I love the shape and love how the pattern shows so beautifully with the white underlay.  I got these at Priscillas Lace and Linens.  

 This online shop sells over 750 Heritage Lace items...everything from placemats to draperies.  The selection is enormous.  I am their number one stalker...uh, er I mean fan.  Each time I visit I spend at least 1/2 an hour perusing the beautiful linens Priscilla's has to offer. My want list totals about 750 items...yes I want every single thing in the store.  The hardest thing about shopping here is making a final selection...but it's still sooooo much fun!  I wish all decisions were so hard! ;-)

Next I added my beautiful Myott Bermuda plates

I made a centerpiece using a glass, gold trimmed vase inherited from my Great Aunt and Uncle.  It's a little art deco/modern but I liked it for this.  I topped it on an antique Spode compote to add some height.  Next I took this beaded bottle cover (you can buy similar bottle covers at Always Elegant)

I placed the cover over the vase, partially, and allowed the majority to hang freely inside with the dangled edges hanging over the rim of the vase

 I added some ruffly ivy that is burgundy on the underside positioning it to come up and extend out over the compote. 

I then added just a touch of forsythia to bring out the yellow in the plates and add a little more Spring color to my simple arrangement. 

 Next I added small tea lights around the base of the vase.  The soft glow of the candles created a warm ambiance.

 I pulled in more color with red cut glass goblets, etched cordials hold gold embroidered burgundy organza napkins and my .25 a piece green glass bowls.

And another splash of color was added with my Barenthal flatware which I'm crazy about.  These have ornate detailing and marbleized handles. 

These are some of my favorite colors together.  

As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.  

~Henry David Thoreau~

Marty for Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

I'm linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Thriftyville Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville

Colorado Lady for Vintage Thursday

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Hodge Podge Friday at It's a Hodge Podge Life

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

 A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie