The Fortune Teller

 The Fortune Teller's face was based on a photograph of who?

 
Sherwood - The Fortune Teller (1953)

For the majority of us we have only ever known Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth as our monarch, however for my ninety-one-year-old father, King Charles will be the fourth King he's known(1). The morning I heard the news of the Queen's death was the anniversary of my mother's passing thirty three years ago. I cried. Mum loved Princess Elizabeth, who later became the Queen of England. She purchased many royalty books over her life time. Her childhood scrap books were filled with magazine and newspaper cuttings of the two princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret growing up, and colourful pictures of flowers, dogs and birds. 

(1) George V (died 1936), Edward V111 (abdicated 1936), George V1 (died 1952), Elizabeth (died 2022), King Charles 111. 

King George V and Queen Mary with their grand-daughter Princess Elizabeth
(The lives of the Kings & Queens of England edited by Antonia Fraser)


To mark the occasion of the Queen Elizabeth's Royal Visit from 23rd December 1953 to 31st January 1954, Cameron Brown produced a piece named, The Fortune Teller. They were sold to distinguished shops such as Smith & Caughey and Milne & Choyce outlets for four guineas. To find one for sale now is virtually impossible. With such limited numbers it’s one of the most desirable Sherwood Pottery pieces for Titian collectors.  

Cameron Brown was intensely proud of 'The Fortune Teller'. In a letter to Gail Lambert*, dated 11th September in 1984 (18 years ago today), he wrote, "The face was based on a photograph of the Old Queen Mary...", Queen Elizabeth's grandmother. The first Sherwood Fortune Teller made was dedicated to his wife. Hand painted on the base is, ‘Made for Dorothy, October 12th 1953 CT Brown’. It is a treasured family piece.


Fortune Teller dedication to Dorothy Brown - October 12th 1953

Seven-year-old Cam Jnr remembers walking into the kitchen, surprised his mother was sitting on a fabric covered stool in her dressing gown being drawn by his father. The drawing was used to form The Fortune Teller mould. In the letter to Gail he writes, "there were about 50 of these made before the mold was destroyed."


The folds of her full skirt cover her legs leaving only her bare feet peeking out from underneath. She wears a knotted red scarf, sometimes decorated with white polka dots, over her head. The tassel-edged shawl is draped over her shoulders, covering a blouse. Her hand-painted face looks down at the crystal ball she holds in her right hand. Originally, she had tiny black hoop earrings, however, more often than not they would break in the final firing, requiring them to be glued back in place. Other common breakages are the crystal ball, arms and feet. 

On the back of the piece, "The Fortune Teller" is written into the base of the stool. This would have been done pre-firing prior to glazing.

'The Fortune Teller' by Sherwood

I am aware of another example with the later Sherwood and three stars mark printed on the base. Cameron Snr also told Gail of his pride that Royal Doulton put out their Fortune Teller in 1955, two years after his piece. He felt their designer must have copied his version. 

Though I have found the last couple of days hard I've found writing this post therapeutic. I've watched King Charles 111 speech and some of the programmes on television, and especially enjoyed seeing highlights of the Queen's coronation. I heard the 21-gun salute from the Devonport Navy Base today. My father is interested in seeing these traditions on the television this time. Last time it was played on the 'wireless' for those who didn't have a television. No matter your personal thoughts on the royal family there are two things I'd like to end with. 

Thank you, Ma’am, for a job well done. And, God Save the King.

Happy days,
Louise

 *Gail Lambert - writer/researcher of Pottery in New Zealand, Commercial & Collectable book.

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

Fortune Teller with hooped earrings

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