A Potted History
By Stella Beddoe

The Willett Collection comprises a unique representation of British history in pottery and porcelain. Each pot is illustrated in colour, alongside engaging text on theme and makerThe Willett Collection is unique. It is the only collection formed to illustrate what 19th century businessman Henry Willett called 'popular British history'. The collection of nearly 2,000 items is arranged here in chapters corresponding to Willett's own cataloguing system. Many of the groupings commemorate historical events and personalities, such as 'Royalty and Loyalty', its content running from the Tudors through to Queen Victoria, and 'Statesmen', with its ceramic representations of Disraeli and Gladstone. Other chapters focus on social history, from the grisly murder in the Red Barn to bull baiting, pugilism, animal husbandry and teetotalism.Stella Beddoe's engaging, informative text places each item in context, exploring the maker and the subject matter depicted. The introduction on Henry Willett the man reveals the life that spawned such a diverse, irreplaceable collection of ceramics. The items, depicted in more than 700 colour illustrations, comprise hollow ware and flat ware, ornamental busts and figures, dating from the late sixteenth to the late nineteenth centuries. They represent a complete range of ceramic bodies and manufacturing technology.Contents: 1. Henry Willett, The Man and The Collection; 2. Royalty and Loyalty; 3. Military Heroes; 4. Naval Heroes; 5. Soldiers and Sailors; 6. England and France; 7. England and America; 8. Statesmen; 9. Clubs and Societies, and Professions and Trades; 10. Philanthropy; 11. Crime; 12. Architecture; 13. Scripture History and Religion; 14. Music and Drama; 15. Poetry Science and Literature; 16. Sporting and Field Sports; 17. Pastimes and Amusements; 18. Agriculture; 19. Conviviality and Teetotalism; 20. Domestic Incidents.