A key figure is the London designer and ceramics dealer Horace W Elliot, who visited the pottery regularly from 1883-1914, commissioning and designing pieces to sell in his Bayswater showrooms.
Among the most talented modellers working in Ewenny in this period was the enigmatic William Doel. A relation, Edward Doel (possibly his brother), is also listed in local records as modeller, but he died aged 24 in November 1883.
Some idea of William’s talents can be seen in the rare Ewenny jardinière sold by Rogers Jones (24% buyer’s premium inc VAT) in Cardiff on October 20 as part of The Welsh Sale.
Worked with trailing flowers and a sculptural pair of dragons to the rim, the base is signed W Doel, Bridgend, Glam, 9 Jan (18)84. Despite some damage to the many vulnerable areas of relief decoration, it sold at £5500 (estimate £1000-1500).
