- Alfred Fenton & Co.
- Nyanza, c. 1891-1901
- Earthenware
- 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
-
Not For Sale
Vase, 5.5 inches tall. Red transfer. Printed maker's mark for Alfred Fenton & Sons. The origins of the pattern name "Nyanza" are unclear, but could reference the city in Rwanda or the African Bantu word for "lake." This later Aesthetic pattern features identical images on either side: a garland of morning glories framing a countryside scene with a house surrounded by a wall next to the water. The border consists of alternating leaves superimposed over a diagonally-striped and dotted ribbon.
The partners were Alfred Fenton and his three sons: James Tunstall Fenton, Arthur Fenton, and John Fenton. They had interests in Australia and New Zealand as china, earthenware, and glass merchants. Alfred and his sons Arthur and John apparently lived in Australia and looked after the business there and James ran the Hanley, England manufacturing company. John Fenton left the business in 1893 and the other members took steps to remove him from the partnership. It may have been in 1893 that the title changed to '& Co.' instead of '& Sons.' It appeared that James did not run the English company well and concealed losses from his family in Australia. The business ran into financial difficulties and in January 1899 an official receiver was appointed by the court. The business continued until 1901. A dividend was paid by the trustees in March 1901 and it is likely that this is when the business closed.
- Subject Matter: Aesthetic (Vignette)
- Collections: Aesthetic Transferware, Alfred Fenton & Co.