Joseph Holdcroft (British, ca. 1832-1904), Pair of Majolica Cobalt Ground Garden Seats

Lot Details & Additional Photographs

Glazed ceramic, both stamped "J. HOLDCROFT" with underglaze black marks, of hexagonal form featuring a pierced seat, bamboo column corners, side relief panels with floral relief between umber tone screen and Greek key borders.

19 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 12 in.

Private Collection, Charlottesville, Virginia

The son of pottery owner William Holdcroft, Joseph grew up in relative affluence. After graduating from the Wedgwood Institute in Burslem, he joined his father's firm, the George Street Pottery in Tunstall, where he is credited with the development of several patents for the production of earthenware.

Joseph Holdcroft was employed by Minton for some eighteen years where he became proficient in the manufacture of majolica. After leaving Minton, Holdcroft established the Sunderland Pottery at Daisy Bank, Longton in 1870. Although much of the output was majolica, the firm also produced Parian, silver luster, and other household earthenwares which were marketed in the Americas and Australia. Joseph Holdcroft died in 1904 and the business was then managed by his son Thomas. In 1906, the firm was incorporated as Holdcroft Ltd. and operated through the 1920s.

Biographical Information Courtesy of the Majolica International Society

Both with scattered hairlines to the underside perimeter and feet (appear stable); some glaze flakes; light surface soiling.