Ceramics PenDelfin Today: A Buyers’ Guide by Roland Head The supernatural, children’s storybook characters and 1960 - Present: Rabbits Multiply well modelled animals are all proven successful ingre- During the 1960s, the rabbit range expanded, including dients in the creation of collectable ceramics. Think dozens of different models. One of the few non-rabbit about Daisy Makeig-Jones’ Fairyland designs, Beswick models was the mouse family (Father, Mother and Example of PenDelfin animals and Beatrix Potter figurines, to name just a few. Lollipop). However, even these were adapted to blend founder Jean Walmsley When PenDelfin founder Jean Walmsley Heap (JWH) in with the rabbits, originally produced with grey fur. Heap’s signature. began work on the first designs, one of the influences Later versions were all made with brown. There is little she undoubtedly felt was the history of the Pendle Hill. difference in price between the two colours. All Pen- This Lancashire landmark is well-known as the location Delfin models are handpainted, and most have been for the eighteenth century Pendle Witch trials and was made in multiple colourways. Many, especially the close to Heap’s Burnley home in 1953, the year in smaller, cheaper designs that were introduced in the which PenDelfin was founded. In the years that 1960/70s, have proven popular and long running. The PenDelfin triangular label. followed, PenDelfin’s handpainted stoneware rabbits side effect of this is that such pieces now have little (found on older pieces) rapidly gained a global following and PenDelfin’s value. Models such as Twins, Barney and Rolly have factory tours became a significant tourist attraction in been made for so long that their secondary market value Burnley. Sadly, PenDelfin failed to survive the rising today is almost nil. Disregard inflated book prices. tide of offshoring and consolidation in the ceramics Condition & Refurbishment industry. The company was sold in 2004 and production Condition is important but so is realism. Early Pen- was moved to China in 2006. Today’s secondary market Delfin are over 50 years old and will show their age. A for PenDelfin is changing and its future uncertain, darkening in colouration and some slight paint wear is making buying well essential. In this article I’ll explain common. The stoneware figures also chip very easily. PenDelfin Gilt Butterfly how the factory’s output can be divided up and Restoration is a consideration, but what is perhaps label. (c1956-60) highlight areas to both focus on and to avoid. unique to PenDelfin is that a piece may have been Early Days - Before Rabbits officially refurbished. This was a service formerly Although best known for their stoneware rabbits, offered by the factory and now offered privately by two PenDelfin’s first models were not rabbits at all but former paintresses. Pieces are stripped down, damage is pieces inspired by local folklore. Rare and collectable carefully repaired and then the pieces are repainted. examples include the original Pendle Witch, the first Such pieces are remarkably popular at present and I am PenDelfin rectangular piece, and a range of other witch, fairy and pixie-based led to believe the waiting list for this service is consid- gold foil label. (c1958-70) designs. Many of these were in the form of wall erable. If buying a refurbished piece, ensure it has a plaques, such as the Miniature A Series of plaques certificate of authenticity, otherwise it may not have featuring Phynnodderee. (the Manx Pixie) Also been done by original PenDelfin paintresses. extremely collectable is the Fairy Shop Plaque, a large, Refurbished pieces present two problems for anyone framed 3D picture modelled in relief. This was one of buying for investment. These pieces are now no longer the very first pieces to be modelled by JWH and last original. It’s hard to determine the medium-term effect. year I saw the original version, signed and authenti- Although the concept of ‘old, but like new’ seems cated by JWH, sell for £1,900 hammer price at a popular, it may well be that original pieces will have PenDelfin artist palette specialist auction. although the exceptional provenance stronger values in years to come, particularly if they are mark. (used 1960s onwards) of this piece means that production examples are likely in excellent condition. That said, at present some pieces to fetch somewhat less. All of these early pieces were sell for more than their original equivalents. Secondly, produced in relatively small quantities and were discon- there is the aesthetics. Although correctly coloured, the tinued by the end of the 1950s as a result of the modern paints used are more vivid than the originals unexpected and runaway success of the first PenDelfin and to me there is something incongruous about seeing rabbits, which were introduced in 1955. an old piece looking brand new. Identifying such refur- 1955: The Rabbits Are Born bished pieces is not too difficult once you have Although their work was well-received, the PenDelfin calibrated your eyes with a few original older examples. founders were in urgent need of a commercial success. The new paints look and feel different, and of course PenDelfin old rectangular This was to be provided by the introduction of a limited the rabbits themselves appear implausibly perfect. label - very unusual. range of rabbit models. With hindsight, the concept of Market Conditions skilfully-modelled rabbits in human clothes and situa- The move of PenDelfin production offshore, the tions was guaranteed success. The fine detail, humour retirement or death of all the original designers and the and intelligence that were evident in these models gave loss of the tangible attractions of the factory tour all them a broad appeal that spread, turning PenDelfin into seem to have combined to have a negative effect on the Typical inscribed markings a commercial success as well as an artistic one. secondary market for PenDelfin. While rare, good found on Metallion range. The first rabbits in 1955/6, were Dungaree Father, quality examples continue to fetch reasonably strong Mother (Thin-Neck), Robert, Midge and Margot. It was prices, they are not appreciating and in some cases have found that the thin neck and large head of the Mother depreciated over the last five years. rabbit made her prone to toppling, resulting in the PenDelfin’s new output doesn’t help. The quality of the model being withdrawn the same year, to be replaced modelling on new pieces is inferior to that seen on older by a more stable, thicker-necked version. This means examples and today’s rabbits seem to lack the charm, that original condition thin-neck Mothers are quite wit and delightful detail of older models. Anyone inter- collectable, worth much more than later versions. ested in building a serious and valuable collection Original Dungaree Fathers are extremely scarce and should research carefully and select rarer, short can command prices well into the hundred of pounds. production run pieces only. Whether to buy refurbished PenDelfin Pixie Bod Stamp They are worth considerably more than the later Kipper pieces is a moot point. Whilst well regarded at present, - found only on Pixie Bods. Tie Father. I would not like to speculate on their future value. ANTIQUES INFO - May/June 08 Ceramics

Balcony Scene display PenDelfin Walmsley. PenDelfin Chirpy. stand with Casanova Inaugural annual event (1989-92) figurine. piece. (1994) PenDelfin made 3 different PenDelfin Jim Lad. block-mounted pictures. (1986-92) This is ‘The Dance’.

PenDelfin Fairy Shop Plaque. (1954-58) Hugely PenDelfin Pooch. collectable, rarely seen. PenDelfin Bongo. PenDelfin Bosun. (1962-87) PenDelfin Club ‘model of (1964-87) PenDelfin Cha Cha (1959- the year’ in the club’s first 61). Extremely rare and year. (1992-3) very collectable.

PenDelfin Model Stand With Rabbit. (1960-67) One of the first display PenDelfin Christmas stands. Scene, Ltd Edn of 2,000 PenDelfin Father Mouse PenDelfin Cakestand. for the Canadian market. in grey & brown editions. (1966-72) (1985-6)

Elf Tree Candleholder from the PenDelfin Metallion range. (1980-85) PenDelfin Snuggles. (1958 - recently discontinued)

PenDelfin Father Plate, Ltd Edn of 10,000, boxed PenDelfin Dodger plaque, with certificate. (1982-84) from the Gallery series. (1968-71) Gallery plaques are collectable, especially if they have an accompa- Collection of PenDelfin PenDelfin Dog with PenDelfin Picnic Table. nying stoneware easel. dog models. and (1960-62). (1967-72) Very rare.

PenDelfin Aunt Agatha PenDelfin Father Mouse (1963-65). Extremely rare in grey. (1961-66) PenDelfin Aunt Ruby. (Ltd and collectable. PenDelfin Cyril Squirrel Rare PenDelfin Dungaree Edn. of 10,000) (1963-65). Extremely rare Father (1955-60). One of Images courtesy of Perfect Pieces. and collectable. the original rabbits.

ANTIQUES INFO - May/June 08 Ceramics

PenDelfin Margot 1st PenDelfin Lollipop Mouse version with pleated . PenDelfin Herald, in brown. (1961-66) PenDelfin Margot with (1956-57) Unusual and PenDelfin Gussie. members’ club founder straight skirt. (1957-67) collectable. (1960-68) member gift piece. (1992-3)

PenDelfin Milk Jug Stand. (1966-72) PenDelfin Flying Witch wall plaque, Metallion range. (1980-85) These cast pieces were based on PenDelfin Lucy Pocket earlier stoneware designs. Desirable PenDelfin with Lilac skirt. (1960-67) Flying Witch wall figure Lilac is an early colour from Miniature A Plaque PenDelfin Totty. (1971-81) and generally adds value series. (1955-56) to a piece.

PenDelfin Mother and Kipper Tie Father.

PenDelfin Mary Mary from Miniature B Plaque series. (1956-59)

PenDelfin Maud. (1967-78) PenDelfin Mother. PenDelfin Kipper Tie (1956-78) Father. (1960-70). PenDelfin Midge One Crumb. (1956-65)

PenDelfin Pixie Bod. (1965-67) These unusual PenDelfin Juliet Wall PenDelfin Thin Neck PenDelfin Megan The creatures were made with Plaque. (1957-59) Mother. (1956 only) Easily Harp in lilac. (1960-67) pipe cleaners. In their Even better if paired PenDelfin Kipper Tie damaged, check the neck Lilac is especially original boxes they are with Romeo. Father. (1960-70) carefully for restoration. collectable. highly collectable. ANTIQUES INFO - May/June 08 Ceramics

PenDelfin Picnic Basket. PenDelfin Mother Plate - (1966-68) PenDelfin Poppet. Ltd Edn of 10,000. PenDelfin Mother & Baby PenDelfin Victoria. (1986 - (1964-2003) (1982-83) and Father. (both 1977 recently discontinued) onwards)

schoolhouse.jpg: PenDelfin Mouse House. PenDelfin Schoolhouse PenDelfin Robert Plaque PenDelfin Poppet Plaque, PenDelfin Rabbit (1964-69) display stand with rabbits from the Gallery series. from the Gallery series. Bookends. (1958-65) (1968-71) (1968-71) Rare and desirable pieces, especially in unused condition.

PenDelfin Whopper Plate, PenDelfin Scout. (1992- PenDelfin Squeezy. limited edition of 7,500. PenDelfin Phynnodderee 2003) with Camp Fire. (1960-70) (1982-85) (Manx Pixie) from (1993-99) Miniature A Plaque series PenDelfin Graduate. (1955-56). Very collectable. (2000-)

PenDelfin Whopper with PenDelfin Little Bo Peep silver brim. from Miniature B Plaque series. (1956-59). PenDelfin Robert with satchel. (1956-67) PenDelfin Father Mouse PenDelfin Robert with in brown. (1961-66) lollipop. (1967-79)

PenDelfin Mother with tassles to . (1956-60) Rare and collectable variation of the Mother design. PenDelfin Rocky 1st PenDelfin Shiner. PenDelfin Uncle Soames. PenDelfin Tammy Puppy. version. (1959-78) (1960-67). (1959-85) (1957-87) ANTIQUES INFO - May/June 08