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Robinson, Wood & Brownfield
Wood & Brownfield
William Brownfield (& Son) (& Sons)

Robinson, Wood & Brownfield succeeded Robinson & Wood but the partnership does not appear in the Staffordshire directories. Their successors, Wood & Brownfield, are listed at Cobridge between 1841 and 1850 and they were in turn succeeded by William Brownfield who is listed from 1851 to 1870. There was a short period when the style became William Brownfield & Son, thereafter William Brownfield & Sons are listed from 1876 through to 1892. Godden dates Robinson, Wood & Brownfield to 1838-41, Wood & Brownfield to c.1838-50, and William Brownfield to 1850-91. He dates the style & Son to 1871 and & Sons to 1876. The various firms are covered in great detail by Tim Peake in his pioneering book William Brownfield and Son(s) – An Illustrated Guide to Brownfield Wares 1837-1900.

The earlier partnerships produced four fine relief-moulded jugs, all published designs, in 1839 and 1841. Thereafter William Brownfield went on to produce a large number of jugs, many being registered designs. The earlier jugs had moulded marks featuring various combinations of a title, a registration diamond (when appropriate) and/or a Staffordshire knot enclosing the initials WB. A standard mark of circular form was then adopted (Peake dates it to 1863-74), followed by a twin-globes trade mark (dated by Peake to 1874-83). Some of the earlier jugs can be found issued with the new moulded circle mark.

The four early jugs were all produced in plain buff stoneware, occasionally white or blue, but William Brownfield made most of his jugs in white, frequently enhanced by coloured backgrounds or moulding, sometimes extensively so. Plain blue and green are also known. Some jugs were designed specifically to be decorated with majolica glazes, outside the scope of this website, but some of the more regular jugs were also issued in majolica, noted where known. Illustrations below have largely been chosen to represent the range of colouring used, but there are many variants. The marks shown have been chosen for clarity, and may not necessarily relate to the actual jugs illustrated.

Published designs (in date order):

Vertical Columns (not titled)
Design published on 1 September 1839 by Robinson, Wood & Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: impressed "PUBLISHED BY / ROBINSON, WOOD, AND / BROWNFIELD, / COBRIDGE, STAFFORDSHIRE / POTTERIES. / SEPTEMBER 1st, 1839."
Illustrations: Peake 5 and Marks 3
Vertical Hops (not titled)
Design published on 1 January 1841 by Wood & Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: impressed "PUBLIHSED [sic] BY / WOOD & BROWNFIELD / COBRIDGE / STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERIES / JANUARY 1st, 1841"
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/422
"Willie Brew'd a Peck o' Maut"
Design published on 1 January 1841 by Wood & Brownfield of Cobridge. The title appears above the figures in the moulding.

Marks: impressed "PUBLIHSED [sic] BY / WOOD & BROWNFIELD / COBRIDGE / STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERIES / JANUARY 1st, 1841"
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/423; Peake 6 and Marks 4

Judgment of Solomon (not titled)
Design published on 30 September 1841 by Wood & Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: impressed "PUBLISHED BY / WOOD / AND BROWNFIELD / COBRIDGE, STAFFORDSHIRE / POTTERIES SEPTEMBER 30th, 1841"
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/424; Hughes 2/42; Peake 10; Rumsey 224

Registered designs (in date order):

Fuchsia (not titled)
Design registered on 16 October 1851, Parcel 4, Number 80989, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded registration diamond
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/425; Hughes 2/p.98 (Design Registry engraving); Peake 33 and 34
Mazeppa (possibly not titled)
Design registered on 25 October 1852, Parcel 2, Number 87228, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: not known
Illustrations: Hughes 1/204b (Design Registry image); Peake 37 (Design Registry image)
Kent (not titled)
Design registered on 1 April 1854, Parcel 4, Number 95510, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. The title "Kent" appears in the Brownfield catalogue.

Marks: moulded registration diamond
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Peake 41, 42 and Marks 9
Linenfold (not titled)
Design registered on 26 April 1855, Parcel 1, Number 99974, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. Examples are known with a matching stoneware cover.

Marks: impressed registration diamond
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/426; Hughes 2/p.99 (Design Registry engraving), Peake 47
"Wicker"
Design registered on 28 November 1855, Parcel 3, Number 102785, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded title mark
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/432; Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Hughes 2/p.100 (Design Registry engraving); Peake 52
"Ivy"
Design registered on 30 April 1856, Parcel 3, Number 104602-3, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded Staffordshire knot containing initials WB or moulded registration diamond or moulded circle mark (one has been noted with incorrect registration details)
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/427; Hughes 1/134; Hughes 2/p.100 (Design Registry engraving); Peake 54; Rumsey 70-71
Tradescantia (not titled)
Design registered on 5 June 1857, Parcel 3, Number 110096-7, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded registration diamond
Illustrations: Peake 58
Arrowhead (not titled)
Design registered on 9 December 1857, Parcel 2, Number 112354, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/251; Peake 59A, 59B
Jewel (not titled)
Design registered on 5 October 1858, Parcel 3, Number 115902, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded registration diamond
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/145; Hughes 2/p.101 (Design Registry engraving); Peake 62
Shamrock (not titled)
Design registered on 20 May 1859, Parcel 1, Number 119968, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded registration diamond with Staffordshire knot containing initials WB
Illustrations: Hughes 2/119; Peake 63 and 172; Rumsey 102
"Fern"
Design registered on 5 November 1859, Parcel 4, Number 123816, by William Brownfield of Cobridge..

Marks: moulded registration diamond with Staffordshire knot containing initials WB, or moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue), 146-47; Hughes 1/138; Peake 64, 65 and Marks 13; Rumsey 79
Eglantine (not titled)
Design registered on 6 June 1860, Parcel 4, Number 129680-2, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. The title is from the Brownfield catalogue. Hughes calls it Scrolls and Flowers.

Marks: moulded registration diamond and Staffordshire knot containing initials WB
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Hughes 1/140; Peake 67
Floral (not titled)
Design registered on 29 October 1860, Parcel 9, Number 134968, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded registration diamond with Staffordshire knot containing initials WB
Illustrations: Hughes 2/p.103 (Design Registry engraving); Peake 68; Rumsey 103
"Donatello"
Design registered on 6 July 1861, Parcel 2, Number 141732, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. Donatello was a 15th-century Florentine sculptor.

Marks: moulded panel with title, registration diamond, and Staffordshire knot containing initials WB
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/428; Hughes 2/p.103 (Design Registry engraving); Peake 69 and Marks 14; Rumsey 105
"Union"
Design registered on 4 December 1861, Parcel 7, Number 147309-10, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded title on a panel, registration diamond, and Staffordshire knot containing initials WB
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Hughes 1/159; Peake 70
"International"
Design Registered on 25 January 1862, Parcel 3, Number 148870, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. The four figures are emblematic of Art, Commerce, Music and Science

Marks: moulded registration diamond with title on a ribbon and Staffordshire knot containing initials WB
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue) and 147-48; Hughes 1/161; Peake 72 and Marks 15; Rumsey 35-37
"Albion"
Design registered on 14 October 1863, Parcel 7, Number 167289, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue) and 149; Hughes 1/165; Peake 79 and Marks 18; Rumsey 241-43
"Argos"
Design registered on 29 April 1864, Parcel 2, Number 174168, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Hughes 1/168; Peake 80 and Marks 19
"Tyrol"
Design registered on 12 October 1864, Parcel 4, Number 179656, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/150; Hughes 2/168; Peake 81
"Florence"
Design registered on 1 April 1865, Parcel 4, number 185520, by William Brownfield of Cobridge..

Marks: moulded registration diamond
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue) and 151; Hughes 2/169; Peake 82; Rumsey 108
"Tiverton"
Design registered on 30 October 1865, Parcel 4, Number 191407-8, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Hughes 1/170; Peake 83
"Alloa"
Design registered on 20 April 1866, Parcel 7, Number 196672, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/152; Hughes 1/175; Peake 84
"Cashmere"
Design registered on 15 March 1867, Parcel 7, Number 206762-6, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue) and 154; Hughes 1/176; Peake 86; Rumsey 110
Napoleon (not titled)
Design registered on 21 June 1867, Parcel 4, Number 209057, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. A rare jug.

Marks: not yet known (both examples shown here are unmarked)
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/153 (engraving from Art-Journal 1867 Paris Exhibition catalogue); Peake 87 (engraving from Art-Journal); Wakefield Figure 5 (engraving from Art-Journal 1867 Paris Exhibition catalogue)
"Cone"
Design registered on 12 June 1868, Parcel 5, Number 219316, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. The design refers to a teapot and no corresponding jug is known.

Marks: moulded twin-globe mark
Illustrations: Peake 173 (teapot)
"Hampton"
Design registered on 12 June 1868, Parcel 5, number 219317, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. This jug can be found decorated with majolica glazes.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Hughes 2/188; Peake 88 and Marks 20; Rumsey 90
"Westminster"
Design registered on 21 October 1868, Parcel 8, Number 223308, by W.P. & G. Phillips of London.

Marks: moulded circle mark with initials W.P. & G.P. or moulded title with registration diamond and impressed initials WB
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Hughes 1/181; Peake 89, 175 and Marks 21
"Severn"
Design registered on 19 June 1869, Parcel 5, Number 230183-4, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. Also known as a teapot.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue) and 155; Hughes 2/185; Peake 91 and 174; Rumsey 116
"Nile"
Design registered on 10 June 1870, Parcel 1, number 242392, by William Brownfield of Cobridge. Also known as a teapot.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue), 156 and Colour Plate XIII; Hughes 2/186; Peake 93 and 176
"Marne"
Design registered on 10 November 1870, Parcel 10, Number 247079-80, by William Brownfield of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/430; Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Peake 95
"Worcester"
Design registered on 2 May 1871, Parcel 4, Number 252177-80, by William Brownfield & Son of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/143 and 157; Peake 97
Greek Key (not titled)
Design registered on 6 May 1871, Parcel 1, Number 252258, by W.P. & G. Phillips & Pearce of London. It is not clear whether this design was produced by Brownfield.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Peake 98 (Design Registry photograph)
"Cupid"
Design registered on 14 December 1872, Parcel 5, Number 268806-7, by William Brownfield & Son of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded circle mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue) and 158; Hughes 1/194; Peake 99 and 100; Rumsey 246-48
"Yeddo"
Design registered on 29 January 1876, Parcel 3, Number 298027-9, by William Brownfield & Son of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded twin-globes mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue) and 159; Hughes 1/195; Peake 109-112 and Marks 23
"Hudson"
Design registered on 29 January 1876, Parcel 3, Number 298027-9, by William Brownfield & Son of Cobridge. There are at least five variants with the fishes swimming differently.

Marks: moulded twin-globes mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/144, 160 and Colour Plate XIV; Hughes 1/ 197; Peake 120-124 and Marks 25; Rumsey 249
"Missouri"
Design registered on 25 May 1880, Parcel 4, Number 350098, by Wm. Brownfield & Sons of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded twin-globes mark
Illustrations: Peake 133
"Mistletoe"
Design registered on 4 May 1881, Parcel 3, Number 364625-7, by William Brownfield & Sons of Cobridge. A teapot version was registered on 8 February 1881, Parcel 6, Number 361538-41, by William Brownfield & Sons of Cobridge. There is also a matching sugar box.

Marks: moulded twin-globes mark
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/161; Peake 148 and 183
Pumpkin (temporary title)
Design registered on 4 April 1882, Parcel 2, Number 379213, by William Brownfield & Sons of Cobridge.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Peake 149 (Design Registry photograph)
"Montana"
Design registered on 25 August 1883, Parcel 11, Number 402839, by William Brownfield & Sons of Cobridge.

Marks: moulded twin-globes mark
Illustrations: Henrywood BJ/431; Hughes 2/217; Peake 152

Other non-registered designs which bear title marks, in alphabetical order:

"Sisyphus"
One example is dated 1891. The twin-globes mark suggests an introduction date c.1874-76. This jug can be found decorated with majolica glazes.

Marks: moulded twin-globes mark
Illustrations: Hughes 2/191; Peake 113 and Marks 24
"Swiss"
The style of the moulded mark suggests an introduction date c.1862. This jug can be found decorated with majolica glazes.

Marks: moulded ribbon with title and Staffordshire knot containing initials WB.
Illustrations: Hughes 1/131; Peake 75, 76 and Marks 17
"Universe"
The front depicts the Western Hemisphere (with Greenland, North America and South America). The back shows the Eastern Hemisphere (with Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia). Panels on one side represent America and Africa, and the other Asia and Europe. The style of the moulded mark suggests an introduction date c.1862.

Marks: moulded panel with title and Staffordshire knot containing initials WB
Illustrations: Hughes 2/174; Peake 74; Rumsey 244
Other non-registered designs, some of which bear title marks, in alphabetical order.
Most of these appear in the Brownfield catalogue and some are not relief-moulded but are included here for reference:
"Adonis" (title not confirmed)
No details available.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue)
"Argyll"
No details available. Peake illustrates the pattern on a coffee pot.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Peake 189 and Marks 26
Barley Ear (not titled)
No details available. Peake dates it to c.1855.

Marks: Moulded Staffordshire knot containing initials WB
Illustrations: Peake 50
"Burton" (title not confirmed)
No details available.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Peake 77 (unmarked jug)
"Clyde" (title not confirmed)
No details available.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue)
"Corinth"
Not relief-moulded. Although the spout and handle are moulded, the body is engine-turned and rouletted.

Marks: impressed title in a curve
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Peake 134
"Dunedin" (title not confirmed)
No details available.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue)
"Exe"
Not relief-moulded. Although the handle is moulded, the body is engine-turned and rouletted.

Marks: impressed title
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue)
"Prunus" (title not confirmed)
Few details available. One example is dated October 1891.

Marks: impressed title and "BROWNFIELD, or moulded garter inscribed "BROWNFIELD"
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/162; Peake 167
"Solon"
Not relief-moulded. Although the spout and handle are moulded, the body is engine-turned and rouletted.

Marks: impressed title in a curve
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue); Peake 138
"Stanley" (title not confirmed)
No details available.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue)
"Stratford"
Not relief-moulded. The body is turned and rouletted.

Marks: impressed title in a curve and/or "BROWNFIELD" in a curve
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue)
"Tasso" (title not confirmed)
No details available.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue)
"Truro" (title not confirmed)
No details available.

Marks: not yet known
Illustrations: Henrywood RMJ/142 (Brownfield catalogue)
"Wye"
Not relief-moulded. Although the handle is moulded, the body is turned and textured. Examples are known with an extra lug moulded at the top of the handle for fitting a metal lid.

Marks: impressed title and "BROWNFIELD"
Illustrations: none

Credits: John Andrews; Ken Carter; Chipping House Antiques and Collectables (Hemswell Antiques Centre); Harmon Antiques Sales; Larry Hartman; Dick Henrywood; the late Jim McAuliffe; Martin Mitchell (and the late Melanie Mitchell); Rhode Island Antiques Mall; Bruce Salvage; Two Locks Antiques; Brettells Auctioneers, Shropshire; Dreweatt-Neate, Newbury