Clyde Pottery
The Clyde Pottery collection at the McLean Museum is the world's largest collection of ceramics from this pottery. The collection provides a unique resource and reference point for collectors and scholars as well as documenting an important Inverclyde industry which produced wares from 1816 to the early 1900s.
The collection is special in that it not only contains finished wares but also the some of the moulds and raw materials that were used to produce them. The Museum also houses the researches of the late Peter Denholm based on the archaeological dig carried out under the aegis of the Scottish Pottery Society on the site of the former Clyde Pottery works.
The Clyde Pottery itself provided many of the items in the collection in 1877 when it presented the Museum with a large selection of items. These items are still in the collection and consists of samples of the raw materials used in pottery making and wares in the various stages of manufacture chosen to illustrate the different processes being employed in the Pottery at that time. It also includes a selection of attractive and varied finished wares, pieces which were undoubtedly presented to demonstrate the range and quality of the Pottery's output.
Wall Plaque
Late nineteenth century Clyde Pottery plaque decorated with a design of a woman standing patting a dog with boy standing next to her. Decorative foliage on either side. Made between 1862 and 1900 by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. - 2011.100 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Clyde Pottery Washbasin
Late 19th century glazed ceramic wash basin manufactured by the Clyde Pottery, Greenock with hemispheric shape and plug hole in bottom. Dated circa 1877 - L1977.151 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Decorative Wall Plaques
Late 19th century glazed ceramic wall plaques manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Made between 1862 and 1900. - 2006.244 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Teapot
Mid 19th century glazed ceramic teapot and lid manufactured by Thomas Shirley & Co. (the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock) sometime between 1840 and 1857. - 2001.292 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Tureen
Late 19th century glazed ceramic tureen manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Mayflower' pattern showing a romanticised may-blossom with 'Mayflower' ship in reserves also heavenly bodies in geometric reserves. - 2001.22 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Milk Jug
Late 19th century glazed ceramic marriage milk jug manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company Limited, Greenock (1900-1905). Decorated with the 'Murray Rose' pattern and inscribed 'Mrs John Cathcart married 19th June 1903'. The name for this pattern of painted overglaze wares with rose-sprays is derived from Murray, the Clyde Pottery's gilder. - 2005.80 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Soup Plate
Late 19th century glazed ceramic soup plate manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Mayflower' in belt and buckle decorated with 'C.P. Coy' inside. Purchased with grant-aid from the National Fund for Acquisitions. - 2001.11 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Wall Plaque
Late 19th century glazed wall plaque decorated with a design of a woman holding a child in her arms and sheep in foreground. Decorative foliage on either side. Made between 1862 and 1900 by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. - 2011.99 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Serving Plate
A late 19th century large glazed ceramic ashet or serving plate manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company of Greenock (1862-1900). Decorated in blue with the 'British Rivers' pattern. - 2012.65 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Punch Bowl
Late 19th century glazed ceramic punch bowl manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Stag' design pattern and mark 'Stag CP & Co.' - 2013.26 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Cup and Saucer
Late 19th century glazed ceramic cup and saucer manufactured by the Clyde Pottery, Greenock. Decorated in white with a decorated band on upper part, two rows of red interspersed with rows of gilding, also gilding above and below red, bottom row is lambrequin border of alternating line and circle. - L1977.131 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Novelty Souvenir
A mid 19th century glazed ceramic decorative pistol manufactured by the Clyde Pottery, Greenock with a glazed surface in mid and light brown colour. Inscription stamped on the barrel: 'John Philips Greenock 1867'. - 1977.129 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Tureen
Late 19th century glazed ceramic tureen manufactured by the Clyde Pottery, Greenock with an oval shape, small pedestal with lid and oval plate. Circa 1877 - L1977.138 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Milk Jug
Late 19th century glazed ceramic milk jug manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock around 1880. - 1977.164 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Serving Plate
Late 19th century glazed ceramic plate manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Washington' pattern showing scene across a river gorge with castellated building with flag. Well-dressed figures descend a monumental stair. In the foreground is a summerhouse at the lower left. The border has American eagles in reserves. - 1982.125 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Serving Plate
Late 19th century glazed ceramic plate for sauce boat manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Chariot' pattern of a charioteer, receding, with two prancing horses in central cartouche, heavily decorated with classical scrollwork; border, scrollwork, narrow reserves with female classical figures. Made between 1884 and 1900. - 1987.598 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Washing Bowl
Mid 19thh century glazed ceramic washing bowl manufactured by Thomas Shirley & Co. (the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock) sometime between 1840 and 1857. Decorated with the 'Saxon' pattern showing 'Saxons' net-fishing lake beside round-towered castle. Border copied from 9th century Saxon pottery combined with lined border and castles in reserves. - 1987.630 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Punch Bowl
Early 20th century glazed ceramic punch bowl manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company Limited, Greenock 1900-1905. Decorated in white decorated with various images of the poet Robert Burns and scenes related to Burns, on inside and outside of bowl. - 1987.637 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Punch Bowl
Mid 19th century glazed ceramic punch bowl manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Cabul' pattern of Tudor roses and tropic birds in reserves, on a border of Persian swastikas with a centrepiece of Chinese furniture & plants. The Cabul pattern seems to have been produced between 1863 and 1875. - 1987.542 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Serving Plate
Mid 19th century glazed ceramic ashet or serving plate manufactured by Thomas Shirley & Co. (the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock) sometime between 1840 and 1857. Decorated with the 'Continental Cathedrals' pattern. Purchased with grant-aid from the National Fund for Acquisitions. - 1987.646
Serving Dish
Early 19th century glazed ceramic ashet or serving plate manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock (1814-1841) (James and Andrew Muir). Decorated with the 'British Rivers' pattern in brown. Many British potteries produced 'series' of pictures on their wares. These were usually copied from engravings in late eighteenth or early nineteenth century travel books. - 1987.647
Milk Jug
Late 19th century glazed ceramic jug manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock between 1875 and 1896. Decorated with the 'Tam O'Shanter' pattern. Purchased with grant-aid from the National Fund for Acquisitions. - 1987.665 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Serving Plate
Late 19th century glazed ceramic oval shaped ashet or serving plate manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock between 1862 and 1900. Decorated with the 'Clyde' pattern with a black and polychrome border in classical style. Purchased with grant-aid from the National Fund for Acquisitions. - 1987.673 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Serving Plate
Late 19th century glazed ceramic ashet or serving plate manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock with a spongeware decoration. Purchased with grant-aid from the National Fund for Acquisitions. - 1987.687 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Wall Plaque
Late 19th century glazed ceramic plaque, manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. This was an apprentice piece made by Jean Gray (Mary Jane Gray). Green and pink bands bordering a central pastoral picture of female figure, garden male figure standing with horse. - 1990.174 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Punch Bowl
Late 19th century glazed ceramic punch bowl manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Stag' design pattern and mark 'Stag CP & Co'. - 1997.119 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Serving Plate
Late 19th century glazed ceramic plate manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Iona' pattern. Made between 1862 and 1900. - 2006.233 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Tobacco Set
Late 19th century glazed ceramic tobacco set manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock made in 1870. The tobacco set was a wedding gift, given by Margaret Morrison McInnes, aged 22, to her husband Thomas Johnston aged 25 of Kilbain Street, Greenock on the occasion of their marriage at the Mid Parish Kirk, Greenock. - 2006.365 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Jug
Late 19th century glazed ceramic jug manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. The jug has a hand painted design on a white background with a mid blue design of plant foliage and forget-me-nots. - 1981.1594 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Cheese Dish
Late 19th century glazed ceramic cheese dish manufactured by the Clyde Pottery, Greenock around 1877. - L1977.143 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Amphora Vase
One of a pair of late 19th century commemorative unglazed terracotta amphora shaped vases manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. - 1977.161 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Wash Basin
Late 19th century glazed ceramic wash basin manufactured by the Clyde Pottery, Greenock. Decorated in white with plug hole in centre surrounded by gold line; gilded decoration on inside; gilded lambrequin design bordered with gilt line top and bottom. - L1977.117 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Jug
Late 19th century ceramic jug made by the Clyde Pottery Company (1862-1900) in 1897. Decorated withe 'Murray Rose' pattern. The jug is inscribed 'Mrs. Robert Bingham Married 29th Sept. 1897'. - 2012.64 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Serving Plate
Late 19th century glazed ceramic plate manufactured by the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock. Decorated with the 'Chariot' pattern of a charioteer, receding, with two prancing horses, in central cartouche, heavily decorated with classical scrollwork; border, scrollwork, narrow reserves with female classical figures. - 1987.597 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
Pottery Sherds
Excavation finds consisting of 43 boxes of Clyde Pottery spongeware sherds recovered from the 1973 excavation on the former premises of the Clyde Pottery Company, Greenock by Peter C. Denholm. Purchased with grant-aid from the National Fund for Acquisitions. - 1987.602 - © McLean Museum and Art Gallery, Greenock.
