Established by George Guthrie in 1857 (about 5km north of its current site) and then again seven years later in 1864 after it initially closed, Bendigo Pottery remains one of the most influential and longest running Pottery’s in Australia. Over the years the Pottery has contributed to the growth and development of the district through both its products including building products, table ware and decorative and commemorative war as well as artistically, being responsible for training and supporting many potters locally. The City of Greater Bendigo has had a long history of partnering with Bendigo Pottery and the Civic Collection holds a number of important items within its collection. This Alfred Deakin 'reform' flask was one of a limited edition character bottles produced by the Pottery to commemorate important figures in Australian politics. The original reform flasks were English salt-glazed stoneware flasks produced in the early 19th century shaped into the form of figures connected with the Reform Bill of 1832. Much was made of puns like ‘the spirit of reform’ at the time. Artist John Frith has taken the reform flask form as inspiration for a series of political ceramics of some Australian Prime Ministers. The series includes Edmund Barton, Alfred Deakin and Chris Watson.Glazed ceramic flask in the shape Alfred Deakin. Square shaped with most of the detail on the front facing side other than head which is more detailed. Cork still in place in top of head.On reverse of flask; Alfred Deakin / Prime Minister / of Australia / 1903 - 1904 / 1905 - 1908 / 1909 - 1910 Bendigo Pottery / LMTED / Edition Series / 101/200 /Australia Signed lower left; 'Frith'australian politics, bendigo pottery

The business was specialised in making salt-glazed stoneware articles, including utilitarian or decorative bottles, jugs and jars, much of it intended for inns and pubs. The backbone of the business was a wide range of utilitarian wares, mostly stone wares, including storage jars, tankards and the like, and later extending to pipes for drains, lavatories and other bathroom ceramics. From 1853 to 1902 its wares were marked Doulton & Co., then from 1902, when a royal warrant was given, Royal Doulton. The company always made some more decorative items, initially still mostly stoneware, and from the 1860s the firm made considerable efforts to get a reputation for design, in which it was largely successful, as one of the first British makers of art pottery. Initially, this was done through artistic stoneware's made in Lambeth, but in 1882 the firm bought a Burslem factory, which was mainly intended for making bone china table wares and decorative items. An early utilitarian stoneware item made by a well-known company that specialised in making salt-glazed items that later earned a reputation for making stoneware art objects. brown glazed earthenware bottle, circular grooves at throat of bottle x 3, cylindrical shape, narrow neck, makers stamp on side, large chip at opening, multiple small chips on sides. no stopper. paper label taped to front -Baked clay jar unearthed during demolition of the Edward Wilson Wing 1999 Doulton Lambeth stamp base of front - makers mark. label -paper label taped to front -Baked clay jar unearthed during demolition of the Edward Wilson Wing 1999ahnl, edward wilson wing alfred hospital, baked clay jar