Bendigo Pottery objects

Majolica tobacco jar about 1880.

Dog's head jar

This elaborate dog's head jar, designed to hold tobacco, was priced at one shilling in 1883. Shaggy, doleful-looking dogs like this were popular motifs of the day.

The dog's expression was partly dependent on how the glazes ran together during firing.

> View enlarged image of dog's head jar

Tall ewer jug about 1880 and Vickery's emulsion jar about 1879.

Ewer jug and emulsion jar

Both these styles of containers came in various sizes and were used by manufacturers to package a range of products. Tall bottles were used to hold gins, medicines and tonics, while wide-necked bottles were favoured for chemicals and turpentine.

Tall ewer jugs such as these were identical in design to the Dutch 'Bols' bottles, with a handle just large enough for a finger to pass through.

> View enlarged image of ewer jug

> View enlarged image of emulsion jar

Pair of vases early 1900s.

Church vases

These vases were sculpted by pottery employee Alan Becket to commemorate the Bendigo Sacred Heart Cathedral, which was officially opened in September 1901.

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Epsomware water jug.

Epsomware

Bendigo Pottery's revitalisation under Bill Derham was accompanied by the launch of the Epsomware range of household ceramics. The handmade nature and earthy tones of these salt-glazed items went on to influence an entire generation of art potters.

> View enlarged image of Epsomware water jug

Water filter about 1872.

Water filter

A water filter was launched as a GD Guthrie patent in 1886 and proved a popular line used in many businesses and homes.

These items were a near necessity in Bendigo, due to the muddiness of the water supply.

> View enlarged image of water filter

Copper time-keeping token, early twentieth century.

Time-keeping tokens

These small numbered tokens were first used in 1914. They were issued to each employee and had to be hung on a numbered board before the commencement whistle at the start of the working day. If they were not in place on time, the pay clerk would deduct the bearer's pay.

> View enlarged image time-keeping token

Money box about 1880.

Money box

To encourage thrift, Guthrie gave his apprentice potters money boxes. This particular piece was made and owned by potter William Henry Lewis.

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Indenture papers

Acclaimed Bendigo Pottery thrower Jack Dehne remembered Guthrie as a man who gained the respect of his employees by always demanding first-class workmanship. Articles that failed to meet Guthrie's exacting standards would be demolished immediately with his walking stick. He would then issue a stern command to 'start again boy!'

> View image of Jack Dehn's indenture papers to GD Guthrie & Co., 1901

Limited edition toby jug, 1973.

Toby jug

Another line which attracted attention was a series of limited edition toby jugs, which first appeared on the market in 1973. The series was sculpted by former Melbourne Herald cartoonist John Frith, and included figures such as Sir Robert Menzies, Ned Kelly, Sir Donald Bradman and Henry Lawson.

> View enlarged image of toby jug

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