Historical information

The Ovens pottery operated from 1881 to1892 they had taken over H L & E pottery at Beechworth in 1888 but mounting debts forced the Ovens company to close in 1892. During their short ten years of operation they produced stoneware garden urns, vases, cheese dishes, ginger beer bottles, butter coolers, water filters, wine and spirit barrels, bread plates, jugs, teapots, storage jars, pots, tiles, flower pots, spittoons, basins, bowls, demijohns, lidded crocks, pipes and bricks.

Significance

A significant item made by an early Australian pottery in Beechworth Victoria, this company made many utilitarian items for the Victorian domestic market. It gives us today a snapshot into early Australian companies that were unable to sustain manufacturing their products into the 20th century, due in part to the rising imports of cheaper items from overseas.

Physical description

Red terracotta butter cooler comprising, round base with ridged lip, and bell shaped, domed lid with spherical handle on top

Inscriptions & markings

Marked "Ovens Pottery, Co Ltd, Patd 1890, Beechworth"