Crown Devon

 Crown Devon





 The cheerful Art Deco style became very popular after the 1914-18 World War. The modernistic geometric shapes and bright colours used in this new art form replaced the prewar interest in the stylized natural forms of Art Nouveau. No commercial enterprise could afford to ignore this big change in fashion, ceramic manufacturers in particular.

Crown Devon

A leading company of British potters, Fielding's, of Stoke-on-Trent, was quick to realise the change in fashion and entered the new era with vigour.

The public demand was for cheery colours in modern style and novelties. Fielding's successfully gave the people what they wanted. There was competition to be met, but Fielding's new 'Crown Devon' ware proved very popular indeed.

Amongst the firm's output of ceramics was a successful series of musical mugs and jugs. No one knows who introduced the idea of musical pottery to the company.

Such items, however, had existed on the Continent of Europe for sometime, especially in Germany where souvenir drinking Steins often had small musical mechanisms fitted into their bases. The idea was that these musical vessels would provide music whenever they were lifted. Replacing them on the table and a simple switch mechanism halted the recital.

Crown Devon

Most of these hand-wound clockwork musical movements were produced in Switzerland by companies such as Reuge or Thorens.

They were small, simple pinned- cylinder and tuned steel comb devices designed to play a recognisable snatch of a tune.

The melodies played were always associated with the design theme of the vessel in which it was placed.

The 'Crown Devon' Royal commemorative jugs would, as might be expected, give a rendering of the National Anthem. After the second World War musical jugs were, for a short period, reissued by Fielding's, but their mechanisms were of cheaper quality.

Crown Devon

The success of Fielding's 'Crown Devon' ware influenced other potters. Musical items were manufactured by Grimwade's, currently noted for its 'Chintz Ware', Royal Doulton, Wade-Heath, and Arthur Wood. The 'Crown Devon' range was much greater, and much more successful. Besides drinking vessels Fielding's issued a delightful series of musical pottery cigarette boxes styled and themed after many of their musical jugs and tankards.

The large musical jugs are around eight inches in height whilst, usually, each of them was also available in matching style as a six inch tankard and five inch mug. One of the most impressive of the firms cigarette boxes represented a dog kennel with a little doggie at its door, offering a cigarette from its mouth.

Crown Devon

The music? What else but 'The Whistler and his Dog' ? Another version played 'Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me a Bow-wow'.

There was also a 'John Peel' musical bowl which, like its associated souvenir vessels, played 'D'Ye Ken John Peel?' when lifted from the table.

Crown Devon

There were musical chamber­pots, too. No, they didn't play chamber music, or tunes from Po-land! A popular one was illustrated with a bar scene and rendered the tune 'Come Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl'.

Another one, a piece of World War 2 propaganda in 'Carry On' humour style, has a sketch of Adolf Hitler on its inside base. 'Have this on 'Old Nasty' is the invitation written around the inner lip of the bowl. Its tune is the patriotic 'Rule Britannia'.

The commonest 'Crown Devon' products include the vessels commemorating 'John Peel', 'Widdicombe Fair', "Daisy Belle', 'Auld Lang Syne' (commemorating John Burns), 'Killarney', and 'Ilkla Moor'.

Crown Devon

Some, like 'Daisy Belle' have the words printed on the reverse side of the jug so you can have a 'singalong'. In the case of 'llkla Moor' the dialect words are there, too, to help you , cultivate a Yorkshire accent - if you haven't already got one!

Lancashire's version is rarer, and is dedicated to the once famous Rochdale comedienne Gracie Fields and renders her signature tune, 'Sally'. Music Hall performer Sir Harry Lauder was noted for his crooked walking stick, a representation of which acts as the handle of his jug.

The tune is either 'I Love a Lassie' or 'Roamin' in the Gloamin'. A very rare item indeed is the Sandy Powell musical tankard.

'The John Peel', 'Daisy Belle', and 'Auld Lang Syne' vessels also appeared on the market as eight inch tall ceramic whisky flagons. Not all these 'Crown Devon' products were musical. Some could be had with, or without.

Table lamp bases produced in these style were without, as was the 'Queen Elizabeth Coronation Mug' and the 'Robbie Burns Goblet'.

Crown Devon

The large jug issued to celebrate the Coronation of Edward VIII played either the National Anthem, or 'Here's Health Unto His Majesty' when it was reissued as the 'Abdication Jug'. The same jug reappeared later with Edward's features replaced by those of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

In 1953 came the 'Elizabeth II Coronation Tankard', which featured the heads of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip.

Overseas examples exist, but are not easy to find. These include an Australian example which has a kangaroo handle and plays 'Advance Australia Fair',

one for New Zealand illustrating Captain Cook's arrival and playing 'Now is the Hour'. Collectors are keen to find an example, too, of the South African jug which presents a rendering of their national tune 'Sarai Marais'. 'Crown Devon' tankards were made as University souvenirs, often presented to students.

Crown Devon

Collecting even the commonest of musical jugs is not easy. An impressive Wade 'Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf' jug was offered for £1,200 at a toy fair a year ago. Whether it ever sold I cannot say.

About the same time I heard of one selling at £700. Most price guides suggest less. In this case there is added interest because the subject is based on a Walt Disney cartoon. Fielding's 'Crown Devon' musical novelties are usually less expensive with the commoner, but nevertheless desirable examples, hovering in the region of £100 to £250 according to size.

The rarer ones can go to any price around the £250 to £500 mark.

Crown Devon

Newcomers are warned that the collecting rule is, as ever, to look for flaws and signs of repair when buying. Substandard examples should have substandard prices.

Slight flaws may be endurable, but remember that you will have to explain them away if you ever decide to sell! Make sure, also, that the right music plays for the piece! A broken musical box might have been replaced by a movement presenting a different tune.

Do some serious research and study before doing anything else! A very good book on the subject, which also acts as a price-guide, is the card-backed pocket-sized '

The Crown Devon Collectors Handbook' by Fielding's enthusiast Ray Barker. The book, published by Francis Joseph Publications, 15 St Swithuns Road, London, is packed with information and illustrations, many in colour, of Fielding's 'Crown Devon' ware in general, not only their musical novelties. It is a good buy!