Ceramics
Hertford Museum has a diverse collection of Ceramics with over 600 ceramic works.
Dish
Ashley Havinden (1903-1973)
HETFM:1995.6.1
Handmade and painted dish, designed and signed by Ashley Havinden, made in Catalonia, Spain, 1969. Havinden was an influential British graphic designer in the mid twentieth century, specializing in posters, advertisements, logos and typography, he was also a textile and rug designer. In 1947 he was appointed a Royal Designer for Industry. He lived at Roxford, Hertingfordbury.
Delft ware tiles
HETFM:3161.1.20-21
The museum holds a large collection of delftware tiles, made from tin glazed earthenware. The city of Delft, in the Netherlands was at the centre of tile production from the 17th century onwards, but factories in England and other countries also produced them. Pastoral scenes, floral motifs and biblical references were all common design themes. These tiles were made in Liverpool in the 18th century and feature depictions of two bible verses: Exodus 14. 23 – Pharoah’s men drowned in the red sea by Moses and Job 1. 4. – “Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them”.
Surprise mug
HETFM:3326.1
Mug with surprise frog. Mugs like this were popular from around 1775 to the end of the 19th century. They were used for beer; the great joke being the look on the face of one’s fellow drinker as he saw a frog emerge from his cloudy frothy ale.
The Vicar & Moses
HETFM:2319.1
This Staffordshire pottery pearlware figurine most likely dates from the early 19th century. Pearlware figures, decorated with enamels and depicting scenes of everyday life or topical events were extremely popular at this time. This figurine depicts a satirical ballad, “The Vicar and Moses”, by George Alexander Stevens, published c. 1772, which tells of a drunken vicar assisted in his duties by his clerk, Moses.
Kung Poo
Paul Noble
HETFM:2022.1.40
Ceramic dish made in 2014 by Turner award nominated artist Paul Noble for his friend, Hertford artist and model Ron Wright. The dish features one of Noble’s iconic poo sketches, a feature of his noted 2011 Welcome to Nobson installation. This poo has been caricatured as a martial artist.