The scarcity of domestic pieces from this early period makes those few that do come on the market incredibly desirable to collectors – hence the excitement at Dorchester auctioneers Hy. Duke & Son when they discovered this Carter and Co. plate amongst a box of items donated to a jumble sale at St Peter’s church in Dorchester.
The simple geometric hand-painted decoration to the 8in (20cm) diameter plate reflects the avant garde nature of the factory’s designers at this time and the influence of Roger Fry, Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and other Omega and Bloomsbury artists who worked closely with Carter & Co. from 1914.
Although the plate does bear an artist’s monogram to the back, along with the impressed Carter & Co. mark, the auctioneers have been unable to pin it down to any one decorator.
In perfect condition, the plate will be sold on May 23 and is expected to take a high three-figure sum with all proceeds going to St Peter’s church.
Carter and Co. plate
PRE 1921 the Poole pottery firm, one of the most innovative of the 20th century British potteries, was known as Carter & Co. Headed up by Jesse Carter, the firm produced very few domestic wares focusing instead on tiles and architectural and garden ceramics.
