Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Oblong-octagonal, fitted with circular cover. Dark brown tortoiseshell japan. Decorated in silver with small birds and floral sprays thoughout. Silver bands shoulder and foot. The application of a clear varnish has resulted in a golden tinged surface appearance. Crazed. Black japan to underside of base.

The Allgood family began making japanned ware in Pontypool around 1730. In 1763, a family dispute led to Thomas and Edward Allgood setting up a rival business in Usk. The new factory was in New Market Street next to the George Inn. The competition between the Pontypool and Usk establishments was played out in the press, each side claiming superiority in advertisements. In the Bristol Journal of Saturday 6 August 1763 the Pontypool factory challenged the Usk Allgoods to a £50 wager, the winner to be the factory whose products experts would judge best. The Usk Allgoods refused, describing their rivals as 'these mere beginners...like some cunning raw stripling challenging some noted hero.'