Posted 13 years ago
cogito
(124 items)
A hand-wrought, dark patinated copper planter or coal bucket by William Soutter and Sons (Birmingham, England) in the British Arts & Crafts / Art Nouveau style (circa 1895). The piece is elevated on four bulbous supports that are deftly affixed in European Arts & Crafts fashion by hammered copper plugs. Fully marked underneath with the William Soutter & Sons manufacturer insignia of "S&S W" and associated Birmingham letter monogram. Also, etched lightly underneath with "13788" (see second picture above). Dimensions: 11.5"(H) x 9”(W).
William Soutter & Sons were established in 1760 in Birmingham, England and operated until 1914. They were well known for their copper tea kettles and planters, which were well worked in the predominant styles at the time. The manufacturer's mark on the piece above dates the planter /coal bucket to circa 1895; right at the advent of the British Arts & Crafts era.
William Soutter & Sons had the distinction of exhibiting their copper wares at the 1st World's Fair in 1851. An entry for the company in the Official Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue (Vol. 2) for the 1851 Fair, which was entitled the, "Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations," states the following:
#354 Soutter, William. 10 Market Street, Birmingham (Manufacturer). Copper-bronzed tea urns and swing kettles. Bright copper-fluted coat vase, and round or oval kettles.
