Mystery Painter. Any thoughts?

[dave moore]

A customer came to see me earlier, bringing a new handbowl which he would like me to decorate. He also brought a very old one which had belonged to his grandfather who had been a boater until the mid 50s, working the Swan for Cowburn and Cowpar.

From time to time I’m asked to help with identification of old painted ware but this one has me stumped. Any suggestions gratefully received!

[Athy]

D on't know, but what a piece of history, said he really unhelpfully.

I'm trying to decipher the lettering: it appears to say "CHABLE", not sure if that could be a clue.

 

[dave moore]

Thanks Athy

i should have said that the lettering on the bottom band reads

” Charles Scragg. April 11th 1933. “

[Athy]

21 minutes ago, dave moore said:

Thanks Athy

i should have said that the lettering on the bottom band reads

” Charles Scragg. April 11th 1933. “

That's intriguing: it must be unusual to have such a precise date on a piece of painted ware, so would this have commemorated a special occasion? The birth of Charles Scragg, or his wedding day? Was he a boatman? If he was, I'm sure that some of the history specialists on here will know something about him, which could be a step towards discovering the dentity of the painter.

 

Or, was Charles Scragg himself the painter?

[MrFish]

Any relation to this guy?

http://www.boatfamilies.website/getperson.php?personID=I25814&tree=CanalFamily1

[ditchcrawler]

1 hour ago, Athy said:

That's intriguing: it must be unusual to have such a precise date on a piece of painted ware, so would this have commemorated a special occasion? The birth of Charles Scragg, or his wedding day? Was he a boatman? 

" belonged to his grandfather who had been a boater until the mid 50s, working the Swan for Cowburn and Cowpar."

[David Mack]

If its the same Charles Scragg be would have been in his late 70s by the mid fifties, so must be a possibility.

According to the boatfamilies website Charles Scragg had a daughter Alice born in 1910, but then the line goes cold. Is Dave's customer Alice Scragg's son?

[Ray T]

Would Viviee Barber know?

[dave moore]

I’ve shared the pictures with other painters and old timers, hoping to discover more. So far, no one has been able to cast light on whose hand it might be. Tony Lewery described it as “ Polesworthy”, not unlike the work of the Atkins brothers who painted there, an opinion shared by Mary who has owned Swan since the early 80s. Thanks to all who added suggestions and info.

 

[agg221]

I don't know whether this adds anything to the discussion but a Charles J Scragg married Winifred A Stevens in early 1933 at Basford, Nottingham and they had four children born between 1934 and 1944, all also registered in Basford. This is the only Charles Scragg listed with any birth/marriage/death event in early 1933.

 

Basford would have been on the Nottingham canal at the time, although right at the limit of when it was open, suggesting that this particular family were resident on land there rather than on a boat.

 

There was also the birth of a Charles G Scragg registered in Cheadle in Q3 1933. Late registration is possible, but Cheadle is not an obvious place to register a birth with any canal-related context. Mother's maiden name was Harrison.

 

Alec

Edited January 15, 2023 by agg221

[Chris M Jones]

Is there a castle on the base? If so it might help to identify it.

[dave moore]

Hi Chris

If only there was a landscape on the base....here is a photo which helps not at all.

 

[Chris M Jones]

I agree that Polesworth is the most likely source. The roses, flowers and  bulbous leaves are very similar to these on an Atkins painted stool.

 

 

[Jon57]

From the Dunk.

Re, your thread < www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/topic/117252-mystery-painter-any-thoughts/ > - I'd say, without any hesitation or doubt, that the handbowl you were asking about was painted at Lee's and Atkin's Dock at Polesworth, . . and that opinion is based on what I remember of the decoration on a nose-tin and a handbowl that belonged to Henry Grantham's father.

[dave moore]

Hi Jon. Please pass on my thanks. I’ve not seen him for many years. I’ll speak with the owner soon and pass on collected thoughts.