Teapot is as cute as the Dickens
Q. This is a picture of a pottery teapot that we have had for decades. It stands 6 inches tall, is over 7 inches from handle to spout and is in excellent condition. Marked on the bottom are the words "Peggally - Beswick - England - 1116."
We have been in the process of auctioning off our heirlooms and would like to have an idea of the value of our teapot.
A. Take another look at the bottom of your hand-painted teapot. It should say "Peggotty," rather than "Peggally." You have a figural teapot that was made by Beswick Pottery in Staffordshire, England. The face of your teapot is that of Mr. Peggotty, a character from the novel "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens. The number "1116" is the model number. Your teapot was designed by Arthur Gredington around 1946. It was in production until it was discontinued in 1973. Beswick Pottery was founded by James Wright Beswick in the 1890s, and after he passed away, his grandson, John Beswick, joined the firm. Beginning in 1933, most pieces were marked with the model number. Beswick Pottery is very well-known for its animal figurines, especially the equestrian figurines. Beswick was sold to Royal Doulton and Co. in 1989.
Your figural teapot is circa 1946, and it can be found for sale on the internet for $25 to $50.
Q. This mark is on the bottom of a pottery pitcher that I have. It stands 8 inches tall and is decorated with a matte-orange peel glaze. No one in our family knows anything about its history. We just know we have had it for years. Anything you can tell us about our pitcher will be appreciated.
A. Your pitcher was made by Muncie Pottery in Muncie, Indiana. Charles Benham, along with designer and master mold maker Boris Trifonoff, opened the pottery in 1922. After Trifonoff left in 1924, James Willkins joined as head ceramist and created new drip glazes and molds. Unlike several other potteries in the early 1900s, Muncie pottery pieces were not decorated with surface paintings. The innovative glazes were beautiful and set apart from other pottery art lines. From 1922 to 1925, the pottery was unmarked. In 1925, decorators signed their work with either a letter or a specific mark. After 1927, "Muncie" was stamped on the work. Muncie Pottery closed in 1939.
Your pitcher would probably be worth $75 to $125.
• Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.
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