Figures & Models - Ashtead Pottery

Figures and Models

Model M2 - Wembley "Lion of Industry"

Model M5 - "Posy"

Designed by Anne Crawford Acheson, 1882-1962

Anne Acheson was born in Portadown, County Armagh, and was educated at Victoria College, Belfast, Belfast School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London. She studied sculpture under Lanteri and exhibited at the Royal Academy and internationally. She was awarded the CBE in 1919. She lived in London and Glenavy, County Antrim.

This Posy was decorated by William Robertson.

Model M15 - "Shy"

This is one of the largest figures produced by Ashtead standing nearly 40 cms tall. It carries the embossed mark of the designer “Phoebe Stabler”. The model on the left is finished in “k” Pearl Barley glaze. This particular piece was original owned by General and Lady Furse before passing to the family of it’s present owners.

(photo kindly supplied by S. Munday)

Model M15 - "Shy"

This copy is undecorated.

(photo courtesy of Peter Conway)

Model M20 - "Owl" (cruet)

Usually paired with M22 which is modelled as a frog. This piece comes decorated in various ways.

Model M24 "Bachus"

The artist for this model is not listed in the reference books. However, the style is similar to that of the “Harvest Putti” by Percy Metcalfe. The figures stands 20 cms tall.

(photographs courtesy of Anne Lemon Decorative Arts)

Model M27 - "Beau Brummel"

Designed by Anne Acheson. This Beau was decorated by Stanley Conway.

Model M30 - "Girl with posy"

Modelled by Phoebe Stabler. The figure stands 18 cms tall.

(photo courtesy of decarts)

Model M33

This figure carries the embossed name of Phoebe Stabler, the designer. She stands about 19 cms tall. The face is almost identical to that of the “Eastern Lady”. This piece was also produced at Poole as “The Bath Towel”.

Model M34 - "Madonna with child"

Modelled by Phoebe Stabler. The Madonna stand 23 cms tall.

Also produced by the Doulton and Poole factories as “Sleep”.

Model M37 - "Eastern Lady"

The piece is inscribed Phoebe Stabler on the underside.

This model has been seen with a variety of floral motifs on the kimono. The motifs are usually in a mix blue, green or yellow. There is an example of the “Eastern Lady” (with a differently painted kimono to this one) in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

Model M38 - "Child in striped dress"

Phoebe Stabler’s “Child with stripped dress”. This piece stands 15cms tall. It does not carry a date code. M38 is one of a pair along with model M39.

Model M39 - "Child with flowers"

Phoebe Stabler’s “Child with flowers”. This piece stands 15cms tall. M39 is one of a pair along with model M38.

(photo courtesy of Peter Conway)

Model M41 - Face Plaque

Modelled by Phoebe Stabler, this piece is 6.5 cms tall. For more pictures for the link from the “Codes” page.

Model M47

Modelled by Phoebe Stabler. This piece stands 15cms tall. It does not carry a date code. The piece is finished in opaque white glaze (x).

Model M48 "Mischief" and Bowl B60

Modelled by Phoebe Stabler

Another of the figures for Ashtead by Phoebe Stabler, this one stands 20 cms tall. “Mischief” should usually be complete with its matching bowl / stand B60. The set shown in the picture do not appear to be an absolute match, as the bowl and model are in slightly different glaze finishes. There is a “Mischief” in the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

(photographs courtesy of Lynn Davies)

Model M49 "Buster Girl"

Modelled by Phoebe Stabler. The figure stands 18 cms tall.

(photo courtesy of Peter Conway)

Model M51 - "Buster Boy"

Modelled by Phoebe Stabler. The figure stands 18 cms tall. It is embossed “Phoebe Stabler” on the side (just by the grapes). “Buster Boy” was also produce in stoneware by the Poole Pottery.

Model M?

This figure is thought to be “Boy on cushion of flowers” by Phoebe Stabler. There is no known model number. The figures is large at 35 cms tall.

(photograph © Ewbank Fine Art Auctioneers)

Model M57 - "Ypres Lion"

Modelled by Reid Dick.

Model M58

This figure of a seated old lady is very small at 4 cms tall but has a full set of factory marks. It is finished in buff glaze (t)

Model M61 - Candlestick

A pair of candlesticks with mice playing around the base of the stem. These pieces have also been seen in Sepia glaze with brown mice.

(photographs courtesy of Frazer Barnes -Sunburst Decorative Arts)

Model M72 - "Corn Girl or Reaper"

The piece is marked with the artists name, Alan G Wyon, on the plinth. “Corn Girl” is usually decorated in this style. There are plain examples in the base “Pearl Barley” glaze (k). 20cms tall.

Model M73 - "Harvest Putti with Pidgeons" Bookend

Modelled by Percy Metcalfe, whose name is embossed on the back. This is one of a pair of bookends. It stands 7″ tall.

Model M76 - "Female nude, bobbed hair on pedestal"

Designed by R. Bower, this piece stands 20 cms tall.

(photo courtesy of Peter Conway)

Model M77 - "Polar Bear"

A very Art Deco pieces. Similar in style to the Skeaping figures of Wedgwood. M77 is quite a small model, standing only 8 cms tall.

Model M77 - "Polar Bear"

A very Art Deco pieces. Similar in style to the Skeaping figures of Wedgwood. M77 is quite a small model, standing only 8 cms tall.)

Model M81 - Bookends

A pair of bookends designed by Rhoda Dawson. The pair are 14.7 cms tall. Marked with a “k” for pearl barley, the sides are finished in black glaze “r”, although this is not marked. One has a “diamond” date code (1934) and the other a “circle” (1930?).

(many thanks to Andy Carter for this picture)

Model M84 - "Akela"

A series of five figures were designed by Donald Gilbert based on characters from Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book”. This is “Akela”. The figures are finished in pearl barley glaze “k” and stand 13.5 cms tall.

Donald Gilbert (1900-1961) was a sculptor and artist. He had studied at the Birmingham Central School of Art, the Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy. His works include busts of John Logie Baird (on display in the National Portrait Gallery, London) and Edward Elgar at the Guildhall, Worcester. He also designed many wares for the Denby pottery.

(photograph reproduced with permission)

Model M85 - "Kaa"

A series of five figures were designed by Donald Gilbert based on characters from Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book”. This is “Kaa”. The figures are finished in pearl barley glaze “k” and stand 13.5 cms tall.

(photograph reproduced with permission)

Model M86 - "Mowgli"

A series of five figures were designed by Donald Gilbert based on characters from Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book”. This is “Mowgli”. The figures are finished in pearl barley glaze “k” and stand 13.5 cms tall.

(photograph reproduced with permission)

Model M95 - "Fantail Pidgeon" Bookend

One of a pair of bookends modelled by Percy Metcalfe. Finished in grey/green glaze (n).

Model M96 - "Leaping Goat"

This model is 19cms long and is finished in light chocolate brown glaze (z). It carries engraved initials “J.H.” but it is not known who this refers to.

Model M102 - "Cat"

This one is tabby, there were also ginger and black varieties. A small work at about 8 cms long.

Model M102 - "Polar Bear"

This bear is a much larger measuring 24cms x 15 cms. The bear usually came mounted on a detachable plinth (Model M102A), however, the plinths rarely survived. This piece has now been attributed to David Furse.

(photo courtesy of Peter Conway)

Model M103 - "Spring"

This piece stands about 33 cms tall and is by Joan Pyman.

Joan Pyman was sculptor from the Hampstead area of London. She exhibited at the Royal Academy. There is also a companion to this entitled “Summer” and another figure entitled “Crowned Madonna and Child”.

M105 - "Mimi"

I can find no information on who modelled this piece.

(photo courtesy Meridian Gallery)

Model M?

The pot base of this piece is marked M6, but that model number is catalogued as “Monkey with Baby” by Percy Metcalfe. The girls are very similar to the “Buster Boy / Girl” models, so it’s possible that this piece is by Phoebe Stabler.