Columbian Art Pottery (Morris Willmore Co.)
25- 31 Parker Avenue, Trenton New Jersey, United States.
Kunst-Töpferei / Art Pottery.
Known dates: Founded 1893 - 1905
William T. Morris and Francis Willmore, who had previously worked at Royal Worcester in the UK and Ott & Brewer of Trenton, opened their own business in 1893 as the Columbian Art Pottery, to produce exhibits for the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. They produced both Belleek (indicated by a shield with the intertwined letters M.W.) and quality decorated white ware. In 1901 they had 45 employees. The partnership appears to have ceased circa 1905 with William. T. Morris continuing trading as Morris China Co. until circa 1915.
Any lids were provided by Manning Bowman & Co.
1.5 litre pitcher made of Belleek, a type of thin porcelain, which originated in Ireland, with the rim, base, handle and body covered in an Art Nouveau Sterling silver lattice, possibly made for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.
Details of Manning Bowman pewterwork, Note the unique method of attaching the pewter work to the handle, together with the thumbpull which denotes a Manning Bowman lid.
Manning Bowman silver plated pewter lid with an O'Hara Dial insert and the unique Manning Bowman thumb-pull on a 1.5 litre Belleek pitcher. Note another unique method of attaching the pewter work, with a spigot through a drilled hole in the handle.
"Morris Willmore Co. Trenton N. J". ink stamp on the Belleek pitcher, immediately above. ×
Base mark on the pitcher featured both on left and right, which was used solely on Belleek wares.A tulip shaped shield with an intertwined M.W. "Morris Willmore Co. Trenton, N. J.".
Whiteware stein complete with ubiquitous "Fiddling Monk" transfer decoration and paint embellishment..
Manufacturer's ink stamp on featured stein above , complete with mark of supplier of pewterwork, Manning Bowman.
Columbian Art Pottery mark deliberately covered on souvenir piece marked World's Columbian Exposition.
"Columbian Art Pottery, Trenton N.J." ×
1.5 litre pitcher made of Belleek, a type of thin porcelain, which originated in Ireland, with the rim, base, handle and body covered in an Art Nouveau Sterling silver lattice, possibly made for the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.
Unknown Indian Chief on white ware
Basemark on the featured stein above.
"Morris Willmore Co. Trenton, N. J." on Belleek ware