Vintage SylvaC White Koala 1390

This cute vintage and rare SylvaC White Koala Bear sits on a green log.  Stamped 1390 and ‘Made In England’, this rare piece is as vibrant and in great condition for its time, circa 1930’s if not earlier.

Dimensions: 120mm (H) x 100mm (W) x 50mm (D)

SylvaC Pottery

SylvaC (with a deliberate capital C at the end) is a brand of British ornamental pottery characterised primarily by figurines of animals and Toby Jugs. 

The company was founded in 1894 by William Copestake and William Shaw. They gave their names to the fledgling company - Shaw and Copestake. 

Central to the SylvaC line throughout its history were figurines of animals, and rabbits in particular. Dogs were also popular and virtually every breed ended-up being characterised in pottery. Many variations of Toby Jugs were produced, including 'character' versions which celebrated events or tied into product advertising.

Source: Roundabout Antiques

Further Historical Notes

Earthenware manufacturer at the Drury Works (later called the Slyvan Works), Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England

• The business was founded in 1894, at the Drury Works, Normacot Road, by William Shaw and his uncle William Copestake. 
• William Copestake retired after four years and Mr. Richard Hull became William Shaw's partner in the business. 
• Richard Hull's son - also named Richard Hull - joined the business in 1924. Following his father's death in 1935 Richard Hall (jnr) became a partner in the business. 
• In 1936 the business became incorporated as a Limited company and Richard Hall (jnr) became joint managing Director. 
• In 1938 the directors of Shaw & Copestake acquired the company 'Thomas Lawrance' and the name was changed to  Thomas Lawrance (Longton) Limited of the Falcon Pottery, Waterloo Street, Longton.  
• The name "SylvaC" seems to have been registered by Shaw & Copestake in 1938
• "The Sylvan Works were founded in 1894 by William Shaw and his uncle William Copestake. The latter retired after only four years and in his place William Shaw was joined by Richard Hull, the father of Richard Hull of the Falcon Pottery, who had then recently returned from a sojourn in Canada. Richard Hull junior (of the Falcon Pottery) succeeded to his father's place as a partner in the Sylvan works when the latter died in 1935, and in the succeeding year, when the firm became a limited company, William Shaw became its Managing Director. For six years it was under his direction before he retired, whereupon he was succeeded by Richard Hull and was joined on the Board by Eric J. Dennis of the Falcon. Thus the connection of the two firms was already established" 1956 book 'British Potters and Pottery Today'
• "Still closer relationship resulted however when, in the War years, the Ministry of Supply took over the Sylvan Works, for the business was transferred to the Falcon Pottery [under the Wartime Concentration Scheme]. This war-time amalgamation proved so satisfactory that it was decided, in 1945, to continue the arrangement on the sales side, while each continued to cater for its own particular market for earthenware 'Fancies'." 1956 book 'British Potters and Pottery Today'
• In 1957, to accompodate both businesses, a new factory was built in Normacot Road, Longton, on land opposite the old Shaw and Copestake factory.  At this time around 140 people were employed.  
• At this time around 140 people were employed.  
• At the new premises,  the output of the two businesses gradually merged and in 1962 the Thomas Lawrance business was folded into that of Shaw & Copestake.  Use of the Falcon Mark of Thomas Lawrence was ceased in 1964. 
• Following the voluntary liquidation of Shaw and Copestake in 1982 the factory and contents were bought by the North Midlands Co-Operative Society and from there they leased it to a workers co-operative society called Longton Ceramics.