{"product_id":"hancock-bowl","title":"S. Hancock \u0026 Sons Titian Ware Fruit Bowl, F. X. Abraham, 1930s","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is plenty to admire in this beautifully hand-painted Titian Ware fruit bowl, made by S. Hancock \u0026amp; Sons of Staffordshire in the late 1920s or 1930s. Deep and generously proportioned, it is decorated inside and out with clusters of grapes, plums and other fruit among broad green leaves. The colours are wonderfully rich, with deep greens, warm browns and earthy tones blending into a softly mottled background. It belongs to the firm's Titian Ware range, designed by F. X. Abraham.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eS. Hancock \u0026amp; Sons had its roots in the Staffordshire pottery industry of the 19th century, but it was during the 1920s that the factory began producing some of its most distinctive decorative wares. Much of this change was associated with Francis Xavier Abraham, who had previously been art director at Copeland's Spode. At Hancock, he designed and introduced Titian Ware and Rubens Ware, two ranges that moved away from conventional tableware decoration towards something much more colourful and expressive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitian Ware was particularly suited to this approach. Rather than relying on neat, repeated patterns, the decoration made use of richly blended colours and hand-painted subjects, often drawn from fruit and nature. The results have a warmth and individuality that are quite different from the more formal dinner services of the period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat I like about this bowl is that the decoration carries on into the interior, rather than stopping at the rim, as many pieces in this range do. The fruit and foliage seem to emerge from the dark green and brown background, and the hand-painted finish gives each part of the design a slightly different character. At 12 cm deep, it also has a substantial presence, making it as much a decorative bowl as a practical serving piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe underside carries the printed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitian Ware, S. Hancock \u0026amp; Sons, Stoke-on-Trent, Hand Painted, F. X. Abraham \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emark, together with additional painted initials. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 20.2 cm diameter, 12 cm high.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Very good vintage condition, with no chips or cracks. The colours remain rich and well preserved, with light age-related surface wear and some fine glaze crazing visible on the underside. Please see images.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector's note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e British pottery of the 1920s and 1930s was not all about geometric Art Deco shapes. Factories such as Hancock were also experimenting with colour, hand-painted designs and less formal ways of decorating traditional pottery. Titian Ware is a lovely example of that development, and this bowl shows why the range remains appealing. It is a familiar fruit bowl in one sense, but the depth of colour and generous hand-painted decoration make it something rather more interesting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorldwide Shipping:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e We are always happy to ship worldwide. Your piece will be packed with great care and sent tracked.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eclectic Design ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62856723824799,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1929\/9493\/files\/IMG_9990.png?v=1794201982","url":"https:\/\/eclecticdesignlondon.com\/products\/hancock-bowl","provider":"Eclectic Design ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}