H&K Tunstall - The Delicious Dozen

Antiques & Collectables

- December 14, 2006

H&K Tunstall - The Delicious Dozen

Well I’m overdue for a post, having joined the rest of the victims of the Christmas Scramble described in my earlier post. So I thought I’d write about my collection of H&K Tunstall porcelain in my ongoing collections category series.

Hollinshead and Kirkham, originally of Burslem in Staffordshire, moved their pottery works to nearby Tunstall in 1890. They catered mainly for the middle class end of the market and, in the main, produced a range of conservatively designed dinner ware. However in the economic slump following the First World War the company needed to do something to address their falling sales. Designer Harold Growcott was their White Knight.

Growcott came up with a range of designs for hand painted porcelain that tapped into the growing interest in all things Art Deco. The designs featured an abstract painted background of two or more colours on which bold fruit or floral designs were hand painted. The result was bold and exciting.

The Delicious Dozen as it came to be known was actually a range of 14 designs, but let’s not be pedantic about a good nickname. The designs were applied to many of the existing pre-war shapes, to give them a new lease of life, as well as some fresh new shapes more in keeping with the Art Deco style. Due to its similar subject matter and large bold painting style H&K has also been dubbed ‘Poor Man’s Moorcroft’ but if the prices I have had to pay for some of my pieces are anything to go by, that’s not a title that fits today’s collecting market.

I’ve photographed some of my favourite pieces from my collection for your viewing pleasure. The name of the fruit design on the all brown background is Luscious, the square platter is the Autumn design and the little floral jug in the back is the Primula design. I particularly love the platters and the cake slice as I use them for special occasions and it’s a great feeling to actually utilise these old pieces.

Other related posts:

The Beauty of Belleek Porcelain
On the Scent - Vintage Perfume Bottles
Confessions of a Collectaholic

37 Responses to “H&K Tunstall - The Delicious Dozen”
I love these! I’d never heard of them so thank you a million!!! My favorite has to be the platter with the blue in it!! SO bright and bold! Thanks for sharing!

By quirkybitsnpieces on Dec 14, 2006
Karen, wow those are gorgeous!! And I love the background stories on things like this…thanks for sharing!

By Glynis on Dec 20, 2006
wowsa - those are awesome! I think maybe even my cooking would look decent on something that beautiful!

By *love2scrap* on Dec 20, 2006
Hi ! I’m having a hard time finding the value of a set of H & K Tunstall Dinnerware that my grandparents left me. It is from the 1933 -1942 era and has gold decoration on the edges with peaches and roses design in the centre, very beautiful. I would appreciate any comments or advice from anyone who may know more. Thanks !

By Samantha on Dec 27, 2006
Samantha, I would recommend you have a look on eBay. If your pattern is a popular or sought after one that should help you to get a feel of what the market will pay for it. There’s also a site called http://www.replacements.com who specialise in vintage china. You could have a look through their catalog for your pattern and get a feel for the price to replace pieces.

By Karen on Dec 27, 2006
We have a H&K square plate with the # 2914 in brown and a small k in blue on the back . the front has a hand painted scene of a stream with cows and various trees and flowers on it .could you please tell me anything about this plate it is approx 10″ across
Thank you

By ce ibbotson on Jan 19, 2007
Sorry, I can’t find any info on that number. One thing you might try is doing search on google using the number and the H&K Tunstal name or variations of it (eg Holinshead & Kirkham).

By Karen on Jan 21, 2007
I have a two tier cake stand very brightly decorated in orange blue and green with a yellow surround. Both plates are the same size, approximately 8 inches in diameter. It is marked on the base “Made in England H&K Tunstall” underneath a unicorn rampant facing left in green. Do you have any idea of the fate of manufacture please?

By Norman Jacobs on Feb 4, 2007
Norman it’s a bit hard to give you any info based on your description. I suggest you visit Replacements.com (you’llfind the link in the 5th comment) and have a look at the H&K partterns they have in their catalog. That should help to identify yours.

By Karen on Feb 4, 2007
Thanks Karen. There is nothing on the Replacements.com site like the pattern I have. It is a bit difficult to describe as it is fairly abstract. It is like a bright Claris Cliff type design (although of course it isn’t!). It has two bright orange flowers in the centre; above are two small green leaves. There is a green leaf just below centre and two more towards the right and left bottom. There is also a blue (flower?) in a semi-circular shape on the bottom left and a small straight blue-type stem towards the bottom right. The whole design has a yellow border surround.

By Norman Jacobs on Feb 5, 2007
Can you email me a picture Norman? It sounds like it might be one of the Delicious Dozen and I have pictures of many of them. I might be able to name it for you.

By Karen on Feb 5, 2007
Can you tell me if you know of any literiture or books on hollinshead and kirkham,Was there anything ever printed about the company,I would very much apreciate an email from you thankyou.
John.

By john soame on Feb 9, 2007
How exciting to see that someone else has managed to find some of these tunstall items. . . I have been collecting the “Autumn” series for nigh on 30 years. . and have only managed to find 6 peices… so, I am ogling your platter with much coveting!! AND I am so glad that you, like myself, actually use these items. . . I use my things daily. Have fun with them. Greetings from Vienna.

By André on Feb 25, 2007
I admire your collection, Im in the USA, I have a beautiful H&K Tunstall Viola Jug with the “Electa” lightning bolt handle in absolutely beautiful condition, just a bit of crazing from the age of it, it has the cobalt blue and purple viola on it, the jug has Grocott and the unicorn stamp on it. I have yet to ever see another one exactly like it in this pattern.Have you ever seen one in your travels? The jug has the same brown and tan backgrounds as the ones in your picture.You have a lovely collection, thanks for sharing.

By Deborah on Mar 22, 2007
Deborah have you tried searching on ebay? It’s amazing the items that are listed on there. especially collectables. I find it makes a really good ‘catalogue’ of the market place

By Karen on Mar 22, 2007
I am trying to find out as much as possible about H&K Tunstall pottery. You mentioned that there were 14 patterns (not 12) that were done in the Art Deco style. Do you know of a reference book that would list these patterns? I have four pieces and cannot find anything on Ebay or the Internet. I do know Autumn, Autumn Tints, Luscious, and Viola. Thanks for your help.

By wendy on Mar 28, 2007
Wendy I don’t know of any H&K book. I have been compiling my own ‘catalog’ of the DD patterns. If you send me some pictures I’ll try to identify them for you.

By Karen on Mar 28, 2007
Hi Karen,
I love that I GOOGLED “H&K Grocott” and found your post first on the list!
My husband & I have 8 pieces of H&K in the Art Deco patterns (mainly AUTUMN) and love it for it’s cobalt blue shocks running through the pattern.
I was wondering where you found your information on the pieces? We were antiquing today and went into a shop, here in Perth (North Fremantle) Western Australia, where they had the most pieces all in one place we have seen. I noticed that the prices they had on the pieces that are marked “R.Grocott” are higher; would you know why? (The lady at the shop was no help at all.)
Also you mentioned HAROLD GROWCOTT… is he R.Grocott? Why the spelling difference and the different first initial?
Sorry to be wild to know the answers but this stuff is intriguing today! We appreciate any info so much.
Cheers from Australia!!

By Susan B. on Apr 1, 2007
Whoops!!
I was just browsing your other posts and think that you live in Victoria (Melbourne area) and I was assuming you were in America.
Sorry!!
Cheers from WESTERN Australia then!

By Susan B. on Apr 1, 2007
Hi Susan
I haven’t come across a definitive H&K book but I read articles in Antiques magazines and get my info that way. One of my collections is the Carters Antiques magazine. It’s been in publication since 1980 and I keep an eye out for back issues to fill in the gaps in my collection. Given the subject matter, it doesn’t really matter how old the magazine is, the facts will still be good.

Onto your question about Harold Growcott. He joined the firm in the early 1920s and designed the lithograph prints for the range. The earliest pieces (Primula design) being released around 1924. Harold Growcott’s facsimile signature appeared on the base of these early pieces, together with the Unicorn backstamp.

I believe R Grocott was a senior ceramic artist with the pottery in the 1930s. His work carries his facsimile signature as it was trendy by then to do this (a la Clarice Cliff) and create a ‘designer’ item to appeal to the middle classes.

By Karen on Apr 2, 2007
Hi, Found your website in a search for Tunstall luscious. My mom had a set of dinner plates and cups and saucers which my sister has now. Mom actually ordered the square luncheon plates in Canada on her Honeymoon in 1941. When they arrived she opened the boxes to find large round dinner plates. She never sent them back and my sister and I grew up appreciating the pieces in mom’s Breakfront. My sister has been buying some pieces when she can find them and I have found 1luncheon plate at an estate sale. It looks mighty lonely all by itself . Will keep on looking.

By Dale Simon on Apr 8, 2007
Hi Dale
How fabulous that you have an entire dinner set in Luscious. Well worth the hunt to find more pieces. Good Luck!

By Karen on Apr 10, 2007
So interested to hear about the names of the H&K pottery, I love the jug in the photo and particularly want a jug of the primula design however I was told I had the Poppies design. Thanks you for the information anyway.

By Mandy on May 26, 2007
I have a plate titled lady Jane by H&K Tunstall, do you know anything about this plate by chance?

By camille on May 27, 2007
Mandy, I don’t know of a Poppies design in the range. But I’ve only managed to track down 11 of the 14 designs. So maybe Poppies is one of the remaining 3. I’d love to see a photo of it if you could email me one.

Camille The other designs by H&K are not as avidly sought after by collectors as the Delicious Dozen. I believe Lady Jane is one of their dinnerware range. Try Replacements.com (link in a comment above) to see what prices and availability is like for that patters. eBay is another good source of market info.

By Karen on May 27, 2007
Hi.
I have acquired a large piece with the marking on the base. “Handpainted Tuliptime H&K Tunstall”. With a logo that looks like a lion and what I think is W547 written in green.
The best description I can give is a bowl with handles at each end. art deco in style with tulips painted on a multicoloured background, mainly browns. 15inches long and 6 inches wide and standing about 5 inches. Have you any idea where I could find out more about it.
Brendan

By Brendan Potter on May 30, 2007
Im sending from Melbourne Australia. We collect H&K pattern No 4901 and have 25 varying
pieces including jugs, vases,plates & bowls .
The jug in your photo looks like pattern 4901 ( refer stamp on bottom) and if so it’s known
as Anemone.
We have sourced items world wide UK , Australia, New Zealand , South Africa
& canada

By John Shore on Jul 18, 2007
Have a H & K Tunstall square cake platter about 9 or 10 ” with 6 smaller cake plates that are not as square. the plates are an off white colour and the pattern is a somewhat floral with tulips and a 4 petalled orange/red flower. Colors in the pattern include green, yellow,black orange, grey, and beige. Have no idea what the pattern is - it does not cover the entire plate so not very bold. The set was my grandmothers so is at least 50 years old. I am from Canada

By Charlene on Aug 30, 2007
Not sure who or where I am writing this to but in New Plymouth, N.Z. I have been collecting H & K china which does not seem to fit the items described above. Mine is souvenir ware of N Z in pink, with black transfer printed pictures and writing showing scenes from this area. So far I have never seen any of this china for other areas of N Z and I understand that it was produced for a Mr Squires, of New Plymouth, who had a shop in town. There are only 4 scenes but the are on many shapes of vase, dishes, plates etc. I would like to hear from anyone with information that could help me verify my conclusions. My e-mail address is bdbatch@clear.net.nz.
Thanks, Brian

By Brian Batchelor on Oct 31, 2007
Hi I have a really nice dish H&K Tunstall signed R.Grocott looks like 689 or 629 with a L under the #s . The #s are painted in green and the autograph. A flower on the front. Do you know anything about this dish
thanks Jaime

By Jaime Ford on Dec 31, 2007
Love your ditty on H & K Tunstall by George Groscott, I just landed from a friend a Vase called Autumn Tints…Matches your collection.
connie p

By Connie Paxman on Feb 5, 2008
Hi,

I have had a Jug / Pitcher, that has been on my kitchen shelf for approximately 10 years now, it was given to me by my brother in law one year, as it had been sitting in his loft, gathering dust for years (he has no idea how long it was there, only that it belonged to his late mother)

I just love the design, but it is nothing like any you describe here, The shape is a typical pitcher shape with a long pouring edge, it is 8½ inches tall at the lip of the jug. The handle runs down the full length of the back of the jug and is rectangular in shape but forming an arch down the jug.

It is a mottled yellow for the main part of the body colour and there is a V coming down from the pouring side painted with yellow and white arched stripes and a black and orange patterning, Also there is orange patterning down the handle.

The black and orange patterning is very plain and looks hand painted and the inside of the pourer is painted in the bold orange as well, but not finished on a perfect line, you can see the brushstrokes etc.

It has the H & K stamp on the bottom, and also an indented ‘TRENT’ stamp, the odd bitis that it is also personally written on under the glaze saying ‘To Aunt Mary from Eva’

I have often wondered where H & K Pottery was in Tunstall as I am from near to there myself, in the Potteries.

Can anyone help me find anything out about this Jug or the pottery firm itself?

Thanks
Rich

By Rich Landon on Feb 8, 2008
Hi

I was excited to see your picture as my wife has a cake serving plate and eight side plates done in the luscious design. They bear the H&K stamp on the back and are signed by one R Grocott as well.
Are these rare? Are they worth insuring at all? I would love to hear any ideas you have.

Thanks a million.

Bryan

By Bryan Naude on Mar 25, 2008
I have a cup and sauce and saucer without any damage in the Autumn pattern 3, Tunstall Burslem stoke on trent H & K, with lion print (1933-1942) , that I would like to sell - i guess to someone trying to get a set together!!

Looks like peaches and grapes.

If you want to get in touch you can do so from my website. I am based in portsmouth uk.

Regards,
Kirsten
http://www.kirstenguthrie.co.uk

By Kirsten Guthrie on May 22, 2008
hi
I have 2 H&K dishes with lids ,they are hexagonal in shape ,about 210mm across the top.They have purple/blue flowers on the design.The base is stamped in blue ,one with MADE IN ENGLAND above a unicorn withH&K Tunstall below it,the other is similar but with QUEBEC above the unicorn instead of made in england.They both have the mark (in blue)A 1115.I have looked at replacements .com and they look similar to pattern 2047.Have you any idea of age /value,both items are in perfect condition,

thank you very much
Bill

By william horner on Jun 16, 2008
Hi
I am so glad I found this website as I have been trying to find out about a plate that I have found, It is Hand painted Tuliptime and a lion crest on the back and the no 683A, It has amixed brown and pink/red background and a bunch of yellow and pink tulips. I can find no infomation even though i live in the next village to Tunstall, stoke-on-trent. Can anyone help please.
Thanks Jackie

By jackie wilshaw on Jul 14, 2008