twrio, the Welsh word for antiques, is Wales’ antiques programme, now in its fourth series for S4C television, and this little handbook of antiques and collectables from Wales or of Welsh interest by Towy Publishing (aka Carol and Robert Pugh of Towy Fairs) published with S4C, is based on the TV series.
twrio summarises some of the most popular Welsh subjects already covered in the series, and with an emphasis on pottery these include Welsh pottery, commemorative pottery, the history of Welsh Porcelain at Swansea and Nangarw and 19th century lustre pottery, together with antiquarian maps for the Welsh collector, samplers, love spoons, treen and more.
The chapter on antiquarian maps for the Welsh collector by Conrad Davies is a particularly good read but the book has only a few colour photographs, particularly noticeable in the lustre pottery feature which contains three pictures, all in black and white. TV offers instant colour impact, antiques are all about colour, and one wonders about the marketing of a book based on a TV programme which does not believe it’s important to do likewise.
The colour issue
twrio, edited by Carol and Robert Pugh, published by Towy Publishing, PO Box 24, Carmarthen SA31 lYS. ISBN 952579022, £7.99 + £1 p&p (01267 236569).
