Supplied by Wedgwood, to special order. [ View a price list .]
The company produced both inexpensive pressed wares and more costly thrown art pottery. Bretby stayed in the hands of the Tooth family until 1933, and after the second World War became known as Tooth and Company Limited Bretby Art Pottery.
Marks include the familiar rising sun over the name BRETBY, a stylized HT for Henry Tooth, and the brand names Clanta and Clanta Ware.
When James Etches became manager in 1879 he began the production of tiles, art pottery and architectural faience. Wares were dipped in majolica glazes in the popular 'Art Colours' of the period; Olive Green, Lemon yellow, brown and dark blue. Although the Glazes, in combination with relief moulding, were the sole decoration on most pieces, a variety of decorative techniques were sometimes employed. Modelled figures such as snakes, dragons and lizards were applied to vases other ornamental wares. Sgraffito and barbotine techniques were also used.
The vast majority of Burmantoft's output consisted of relief moulded Jardinieres, flower pots, pedestals and umbrella stands. They also offered a line of small 'uglies and grotesques' which were dipped in the famous glazes. Speciality output included Anglo Persian influences introduced in 1887, Anglo Moresque wares introduced in 1900 and Floruda ware, which was unglazed terracotta with painted floral decoration. Later wares were increasingly in the Art Nouveau style.