Ray & Diane Ginns ©

Specializing in Antique British toby jugs and Staffordshire pottery.
Ralph Wood, creamware, pearlware, Prattware, enamel figures 1780-1900.
 

Collecting British Antique Pottery Social Comment Groups:

Wedding Groups.

Approach to marriage was very different in the 18th &19th century when British women were expected to marry and raise children: Scandal was something families would not tolerate & to stop weddings being conducted in secrecy from 1753 there was a requirement of a formal wedding ceremony known as Hardwick's act "An act for the better prevention of clandestine marriage". As an alternative couples could choose to elope across the Scottish boarders, the first town they came across was Gretna Green. Scottish law allowed "irregular marriage" this meant a declaration before two witnesses. It is said almost anyone had the authority to conduct a wedding service with the blacksmith's yard or shop becoming popular, so giving the blacksmith a new name an "Anvil Priest". The old blacksmith's shop in Gretna became a local tourist attraction from as early as 1887.
In Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin, first published in 1813…it tells of the youngest of Mr. Bennet's five daughters eloping. Lydia Bennet brought remorseless disgrace on her family, in the novel she was very flirtatious, at the age of fifteen left a note to say she was to marry in Gretna Green.

In Staffordshire pottery "The Anvil Group" British antique enamel decorated pottery. Circa 1810-1830.
British enamel decoration pottery circa 1810-30 The Anvil Group
British bocage figure group of the Blacksmith or Anvil Priest
Table base "Anvil Group"
The " Blacksmith" or "Anvil Priest"
British antique pottery enamel decoration Wedding or Anvil Group
Antique British pottery bocage Anvil Group
"The Wedding" or "Anvil Group"circa 1810-30.
The "Anvil Group" with plaque.

In 1823 Hardwick's act from 1753 was repealed, all marriages could be performed outside church without reading of banns or need of a licence. It would be a valid ceremony but those clergy involved would be guilty of a breech of law.

"The Wedding Group" or "New Marriage Act":
Staffordshire potters assembled the figures grouped around a central table or bocage tree, the young couple holding hands, exchanging their wedding vows with a parson and kneeling clerk in attendance. If a plaque is displayed it reads "New Marriage Act: John Frill and Ann Boke aged 21. That is right says the parson. Amen says the clerk"....(or clark depending on the spelling). On the arbour group the back is decorated as if inside church with the groom's hat respectfully off his head. Most groups display a lamp at the clerks feet.

British antique pottery New Marriage Act group
British antique enamel decoration pottery New Marriage Act group
Antique British Pottery Wedding Group with John Frill & Ann Boke plaque
Provenance:Reed-Fitt collection.
"New Marriage Act" John Frill & Ann Boke
"The Wedding" or "New Marriage"
Antique British pottery New Marriage Act with plaque. John Frill & Ann Boke...
An unusual Staffordshire "New Mariage Act" wedding group.
The back decoration represents church windows?
"The Wedding Group".

The photos shown are all genuine antique pottery: Please note there is a version of the arbour group "New Marriage Act" with plaque, the back decoration that represents church windows, that was made in the 20th century. The model is often confused with an original, the clerk on the contemporary model is usually facing the table.

Look in "English Earthenware Figures" (Page 260) by Pat Halfpenny for the "New Marriage Act " that's in the Royal Pavilion Art Gallery & Museum, Brighton. Information on the "Where to See" page will help you with Museum details.

All photos from the R.& D.Ginns archive and thanks to L.& J.Russell.

Copyright © 2011 : All rights reserved Ray and Diane Ginns www.rarepottery.com