Gildea and Walker footed bowl in the 6393 pattern I was wondering if anyone could tell you something about it?

Answer 1

Sorry, I can't tell you anything about your pattern number. The only items from Gildea and Walker which I have seen had pattern names. As the firm only traded under that name for about five years and were not one of the major manufacturers, it is not likely that any records still exist. The Dale Hall Works in the Longport district of Burslem was occupied in succession by a series of companies, mainly it would seem by regrouping with a small change of title. Gildea and Walker's tenure was from 1881 to 1885. We do have however an insight into what is was like in the pottery in the biography of Harold Hales.

Mr Hales was a schoolfriend of Hanley author Arnold Bennett and was reputedly the inspiration of Bennett's novel 'The Card'.

In his later years Harold Hales became a successful businessman and Member of Parliament and is best known as the man who commissioned 'The Hales Trophy', awarded to the passenger liner which made the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. It is probably better known as the 'Blue Ribband of the Atlantic Trophy'. In his biography, 'The Autobiography of the Card' he describes his apprenticeship at Gildea and Walker in one of the early chapters with graphic descriptions of Dale Hall Works at that time.

I'm sorry that I can't help with a pattern number, but reading Hales's book will give you a good insight into the place where your bowl was made.

Update. Replacements Limited of Greensboro NC list a number of Gildea and Walker's patterns, including illustrations.

Why not visit their web-site ?