Search This Blog

Monday, November 28, 2016

On its way home to Tasmania again . . .


Excited to recently purchase this Bristol Blue rolling pin that was in the collection of Bruce Allen - "a lovers' token" with shipping illustrations, one which shows the "Star of Tasmania". Obviously the twin master that the sailor sailed away to the world downunder. The other illustration show a large port unnamed. Her collected history here.

ROLLING-PINS These quaint objects are as graceless in shape as anything could possibly be, but to many people the human interest makes up for their lack of artistry. They were mostly made at Bristol and are found in considerable numbers in sailor's homes, where they were brought as lovers' gifts by seafaring men engaged in the coasting trade. The mottoes and decorations on the best are done in enamel colours and burned on after the manner of other Bristol glass of good quality, but the later and less interesting ones have a coarser decoration in oil colours lightly baked on and liable to come off in the course of wear. Others are decorated with transfers in the style of Sunderland pottery ware, which also was a favourite gift of "those that go down to the sea in ships". These examples may possibly come form a Newcastle glass-house.
Inscriptions are frequent, generally of an amatory character, either verses or trite mottoes: "Remember me, when this you see, though many miles I distant be" is a favourite. In North Wales these rolling-pins are a source of great pride to the owners, and I remember being shown six in one kitchen, which belonged to the wife of the owner of a small coasting schooner.

No comments:

Post a Comment