The Nautilus on Coral Vase

 The fragile nautilus shell is carefully cradled in coral.

Sherwood Nautilus on Coral vase from Cam & Bev's private collection

The original hand-painted Nautilus on Coral vase was modelled by Cameron Brown Senior, and decorated by Dorothy in the Sherwood era from 1950 until 1953/1954, at Waitakere. This was prior to their name change to Titian Studio, which I believe is around this time. This example, photographed by me, is from Cameron and Bev's private collection and was included in the Auckland Museum's Titian Exhibition in June 2004. 


Sherwood Nautilus on Coral vase (base) from Cam & Bev's private collection

Bisk fired blanks were supplied by Sherwood Pottery to Owen Salisbury's Royal Oak Pottery. It was at his factory that they were painted gold or a dark cream then a shellac clear coat to seal the paint. You'll find many of the Sherwood supplied Royal Oak pieces, like this vase, the fish with bubbles toothbrush holder, and the wall moth vases decorated with gold, cream and muted tones. 

Royal Oak's Nautilus on Coral

Royal Oak's Nautilus on Coral (base)

As you can see the shellac varnish and gold paint has begun to break down and flake after 70 years. The original Sherwood models are glazed and re-fired so retain their bright colours.

Royal Oak's Nautilus on Coral from Christopher Barron's collection (gold & cream)
 
 
Royal Oak's Nautilus on Coral (base) from Christopher Barron's collection

As you can see from Christopher's photos, one of his has two scratched markings on the base. I wonder if the S.V.2 could stand for Sherwood Vase, number two. The 902. code is in the same vein as the 912. code on the Royal Oak Wall Moths. Guess what? Amazingly, I've just purchased a Sherwood Oak Leaf vase with 901. on the base. It's lost its glaze but I'm thrilled to have been offered it. Very exciting!!! Cam Brown can't remember what the coding means, but as he was only knee high to a grasshopper when they were made, that's understandable.
 
UPDATE: A collector has shown me a photo of this vase with 'Sherwood' in script font, and the three stars base stamp. He believes, and I agree, that the S.V.2 stands for Sherwood Vase number 2.
 

V.103 Nautilus on Coral (V103 Shell Vase)

After 1957 the vase had the product code V.103 imprinted on the base. It comes in a variety of hand sprayed colours on the shell and the coral, then finished in clear coat before its final firing. Did you notice the little crab and the starfish? 


V.103 Nautilus on Coral base

I haven't seen this vase with the Titian Studio green slash on the base which makes me think production stopped at the end of Sherwood era, up until Titian Studio moved to Henderson in 1957. Have you got this vase with the green slash?

It would be lovely if you can let other collectors know about my blog, and follow along. I'm enjoying writing down my research and sharing it with you. Thank you, Cam, Bev, Ben and Christopher for adding your pictures to my blog. I truly appreciate it.

As I'm researching pieces, some of my information may prove incorrect. But not to worry, I'll fix it as I go and went help from you.

Happy days,
Louise

©Louise de Varga 2022 - Content and pictures in this blog 








Comments

  1. Val Monk29 July 2022 at 20:21

    So this wee vase would have been modelled by Cameron Brown Snr?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Titianstudiopottery29 July 2022 at 20:35

    Yes it was originally modelled by Cameron Brown Snr.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ev30 July 2022 at 12:48

    This lovely has been concerning for many years, due to all the different markings on the base. Thank you for sorting it out Louise,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Titianstudiopottery30 July 2022 at 16:04

      😀 It's a great feeling when the jigsaw pieces fall into place with the help of other collectors.

      Delete

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