Thrown 'Flat Bottles'
If first we look at the thrown flasks, these are of a flattened oval form, initially turned by the potter on a wheel to create a shape similar to the bellied and waisted bulk jars of the day, then flattened between two boards, to create a 'flat bottle'. Some potters pushed up the thickened clay on the base to form a 'kick-up', but others left the bases relatively flat. Within this basic form, numerous variations are to be found. Each flask was formed by hand by a potter in one of many potteries, the larger of which are likely to have employed several potters able to throw these types of wares, perhaps each with a slight variation in style. Many of these businesses were in production over a period of a decade or more, explaining the wide range of variations. From looking closely at the various flasks, and researching the merchants who commissioned them to establish approximate manufacture dates for their flasks, it appears that the earlier examples tended to be 'fatter' than the later ones.
It seems as if there are almost as many variations in lip form as there are individual flasks! The majority of these are what is best described as a 'double ring lip', although these vary hugely in shape and proportion. Much less common, and most likely only used by one pottery, is the single lip type. Another distinctive lip shape is a single flared lip, but there are many others.
It seems as if there are almost as many variations in lip form as there are individual flasks! The majority of these are what is best described as a 'double ring lip', although these vary hugely in shape and proportion. Much less common, and most likely only used by one pottery, is the single lip type. Another distinctive lip shape is a single flared lip, but there are many others.
Moulded Flasks
From the early 1830s, moulded flask forms started to be introduced. Of these, the commonest forms are the 'oval' and 'square' flasks, (as illustrated in the later Stiff catalogue of 1873.) The 'oval' flasks (or as Doulton's 1873 catalogue describes them; 'turned',) are similar in form to the thrown flasks, and many survive with the impressed manufacturer's mark on the base 'FULHAM STONE POTTERY'.
From the early 1830s, moulded flask forms started to be introduced. Of these, the commonest forms are the 'oval' and 'square' flasks, (as illustrated in the later Stiff catalogue of 1873.) The 'oval' flasks (or as Doulton's 1873 catalogue describes them; 'turned',) are similar in form to the thrown flasks, and many survive with the impressed manufacturer's mark on the base 'FULHAM STONE POTTERY'.
The equally common 'square' flasks, which are well known to collectors in this field, have straight sides, and a tapering shoulder with a pattern of 'flutes', or 'petals', often with a rouletted pattern applied just below the shoulder. There are numerous subtle variations of this form of flask, but that most often seen is shown to the right. A couple of later Bristol glazed examples have been seen, otherwise identical in both form and detail, impressed on the base with a 'Stiff/London Pottery' mark, which ties a very large number of these flasks to this specific pottery. (See page entitled 'Potteries'.) Askey also records that the Stiff Pottery was in production from 1840, which fits well with the dates of the merchants whose details appear on these flasks.
Other manufacturers certainly produced flasks of a very similar form, including Doulton & Watts, as demonstrated by the pottery-marked example shown. (See 'Potteries') In contrast to the Stiff examples, the shoulder 'flutes' are concave, and there is no rouletting at the top of the body.
Images below show some of many varients of the straight sided flasks that were manufactured, by unidentified potteries.
Other manufacturers certainly produced flasks of a very similar form, including Doulton & Watts, as demonstrated by the pottery-marked example shown. (See 'Potteries') In contrast to the Stiff examples, the shoulder 'flutes' are concave, and there is no rouletting at the top of the body.
Images below show some of many varients of the straight sided flasks that were manufactured, by unidentified potteries.