J. Palin Thorley Papers, 1910/1987, bulk 1930/1986

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

J. Palin Thorley Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
28.90 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

J. Palin Thorley Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of J. Palin Thorley contain personal and business papers, legal and financial papers, photographs, studio notes, drawings and sketches, ceramics, and artifacts. Joseph Palin Thorley was an internationally known potter who supplied the Craft House museum shop with reproductions of eighteenth-century antiques from Colonial Williamsburg's collection. The collection largely relates to Thorley's pottery work and business, documenting his creative and scholarly process. For an enhanced description of each thematic series, see the detailed series listing.

This series contains the business correspondence of J. Palin Thorley from 1930 to 1987. Includes letters to business partners and suppliers, drafts of letters, and orders and invoices from specific companies. Arranged alphabetically.

Representing Sylvio Conti in possible sale of factory

One of Thorley's acquaintances who tried unsuccessfully to join Thorley's business

Real estate insurance manager.

Correspondence.

Correspondence, undated Drafts.

Orders, invoices, etc.

Technical Information, Instructions, Kiln Specifications.

Blueprints.

Blueprints.

Includes a 1981 proposal to claim occupancy of Whitehall by Garrison, J. W.

1959, 1961, 1979, and undated

1941 Blueprints and undated Correspondence.

Archeologist James L. Kelso attached to some of his letters to Thorley pieces of scholarship that complement many articles in the Publication and Reference Materials Series. Kept with the letters in this folder are the following articles: "The Physical Nature of Nabataean Pottery" by Philip C. Hammond, who cites Kelso and Thorley's research, from the July 1964 American Journal of Archeology; a chapter entitled "The Potter on Cyprus" by Robert H. Johnston; and some newspaper clippings.

Prehistoric and Archeology Research. Includes two booklets in Italian.

Agenda, Meeting Minutes. Held at the Williamsburg Inn.

"Ming Bowl Incident."

Anonymous Orders.

Ceramist interested in relocation.

1948-1950, 1956, undated

1939 March 14 - 1953 August 14

Editor of "The American Artist."

Missing Briefcase Incident.

June 1, 1949 and December 8, 1953

This series contains the personal papers of J. Palin Thorley including correspondence with friends and relatives, as well as personal papers from Edith Thorley, his wife. Divided into 3 sub-series. The correspondence is organized alphabetically and other personal papers are organized by document type.

Doreen Akers is Thorley's niece.

Thorley's nephew on his wife Edith's side.

Graham is Thorley's nephew.

Thorley's sister.

Doreen's daughter, Tholey's great niece.

Thorley's sister.

Thorley's niece.

Thorley's niece.

Edith Thorley's sister.

Hand Painted Cards.

Nephew and Niece.

Possibly Noel's Sister.

Brother.

Niece and Nephew.

Brother.

Naturalization Certificate, Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Will, Death Certificate.

Funeral Details.

Notebooks documenting Edith's hospitalization.

Notesbooks documenting Edith's hospitalization.

Notebooks documenting hospital visits.

Notes from nursing care given by J. Palin Thorley until Edith's death.

Medical bills.

Medical bills.

Medical bills.

Notebook documenting trip to City Hall.

Get well correspondence.

Miscellaneous.

Photos are copied from albums

Various legal records including records relating to court cases in which Thorley was involved, deeds, official business incorporation and sale documents, trademark registration, and zoning of property. Organized by topic and within chronologically.

Trademark Registration.

Includes mortgage deed on East Liverpool, Ohio property.

This series, organized chronologically, is composed of Thorley's financial ledgers and handwritten notes. documenting the evolution of his pottery business and personal finances. The 1952-1964 and 1966-1968 ledgers are supplemetned by business expense spreadsheets. See also composition books in Series 2 (Box 18) , for also annotations regarding finances, among other topics. See also Series 1, Business Correspondence, for invoices from companies.

Also includes a shop equipment depreciation schedule from 1953.

This series is composed of Thorley's bisque, glaze, and decoration kiln notes; price calculations, draft sketches; font samples; glaze tests; and technical information. It is organized thematically.

Thorley's Glaze Indexes: Glaze formulae index 1 and glaze index 2.

This series comprises photographs documenting Thorley's personal and artistic life. Also included are photographs of archeological excavation sites, of the Queen's visit to Williamsburg, commercially produced photosof Colonial Williamsburg. Organized thematically, from Thorley's art to his personal life. Photographs from albums have been kept together and identified as such. A nitrate negative, showing a man in uniform, possibly military, has been separated and filed in nitrate negative storage. Consult a staff member for more information.

Five tile photos with chrystalline glazes found in metal file box containing glaze and body formulas.

Includes misc. photographs of ceramic pieces, a plate design with a tower, and a photograph of a "Quintle" tin glaze (Delft type) posy holder from the Netherlands, c. late seventeenth-century, according to a note in the back.

Includes photographs of Jericho/Wadi Qelt, and of Kelso and artifacts, possibly at Tell Beit Mirsim.

Includes photographs of White Hall, a jug, a flower brick with bouquet, and Monticello. Also includes a photocopy of the article "Feasts of Clay: Master's legacy is preserved" by Claire Fortier, in the August 27th, 1986 edition of the Virginia Gazette, and photocopies of blue binder pages.

Includes a photo envelope with the caption "Photographs taken in 1964 or 1965. Based on Sanny Forbes's recollection of the display in Forbes window. Found undeveloped and developed in 1990s by John Austin."

Includes the Capitol photographed by Perry, Shaw Hepburn, received 1933, another photograph of the Capitol, and one of Bruton Parish Church (referenced in a letter from Zaharov, 17 Nov. 1944).

Includes 3 early photographs, including a 1916 portrait in soldier uniform and a group photo of soldiers with a note from Thorley to Dolly in the back. Also later photos of Thorley at Whitehall and at events attended, extracted from correspondence.

Father, Millicent and Tom, and sister "Dolly."

Extracted from Correspondence with Millicent, Kathleen, and Tony Thorley.

Includes several photographs of Graham and Joy Brealey, as well as of John and Ivy Brealey, extracted from correspondence.

Also includes an undated newspaper clipping featuring a photograph of the wedding of Thomas Clive Podmore and Millicent Flint.

Includes photographs of Whitehall, a set of jars, and other scenes.

A list of names of attendees featured on the photograph is attached.

Oversized item housed in a larger box.

This series brings together reference materials and scholarship written by Thorley, about Thorley, or about art and pottery more generally. Some of these publications document Thorley's career and work, and some of them were kept by Thorley as possible inspiration and information sources for his creations. The series comprises eight sub-series classified by format (books, magazine and journal articles, catalogs and advertisements, unpublished reports, lectures, newspaper clippings, printed ephemera, and tableware shape designs). Some documents have annotations. When possible, the documents are organized alphabetically by publication/company name.

Included in the folder is a March 1941 letter from the Bristol Pottery Factory regarding the state of the city and industry after the bombings.

Danish Art Series, in Danish.

Includes Winterthur Museum and Gardens, 1984 Revised Edition.

offered to Thorley in 1986

Includes, in chronological order: M. Farbsworth, "Greek Pottery: A Minerological Study," July 1964; J.V. Noble, "The Technique of Egyptian Faïence," Oct. 1969; S. Symeonoglou, "A Chart of Mycenaean and Late Minoan Pottery," July 1970; First page of F.R. Matson, "The Archeological Present: Near Eastern Village Potters at Work," Oct. 1974.

Pottery Collectors Newsletter.

Summer 1973 newsletter and 1984 annual report.

The issue includes the article "Palestinian Pottery in Bible Times" by J. L. Kelso and J. Palin Thorley.

(photocopy)

The issue includes the article "Palestinian Pottery in Bible Times" by J. L. Kelso and J. Palin Thorley.

Annotated and mentions Thorley.

Article on University of Pittsburgh collaboration on Near East Excavations (p.21).

Advertisements and pamphlets for craft pieces, drafts of advertisements. See also advertisements about the Queen Elizabeth II's purchase of Thorley pieces in Box 36, Folder 8.

Oversized item housed in a larger box.

See also 12 original photographs of the excavation in the Photograph Series, Box 29.

Includes a page on glaze recipes and a section on Italo-Grecian potteries.

Includes: "Pottery Glazes" by Lawrence E. Barringer; "Stoneware Glazes" by Thomas S. Halle; "Bristol Glazes" by Walter Howat; "Vapor Glazing of Ceramic Ware" by H. G. Schurecht.

Documents the Queen's acquisition of pieces by Thorley.

Sent to Thorley by Kelso.

Sent to Thorley by Arthur G. Reed, see Personal Correspondence.

Clippings on various topics kept by Thorley.

Contains cuttings featuring tableware, animals, and human figures for inspiration.

Feature flowers, animals, human figures, etc.

Includes Potteries Walkway info.

Mixed Mediums

Three sets of blueprints for square and round tableware shapes. One set comes with a 1931 memo detailing Paul Bogatay's project to provide artists with designs for ceramics. Oversized item housed in larger box classified with the Studio Art series. Blueprints conserved in between rigid cardboard, open with care as the blueprints will curl up.

This series comprises drawings, sketches, and tracings on paper and cardboard on a variety of themes and mediums (mostly pencil, watercolor, ink, and paint). Most were likely produced in preparation for crafting pottery pieces and decorating them. A few drawings correspond to pieces in the Artifacts Series and are indicated as such. The studio art is arranged by the size of the boxes containing them. The medium and theme is then indicated. The majority of works are undated.

Pencil Sketches

Loose tracings were removed for preservation and are located in the subsequent box, with matching reference numbers to indicate where they were found in the notebook.

A drawing of leaves corresponds to the decoration on a square brick-shaped container in the Artifacts series, item 2006.70.01. A drawing of grapes is analogous to the decoration on a pottery mug in the Artifacts series, item 1997.24.08.

One drawing corresponds to the decoration on a small porcelain plate in the Artifact series, item 1997.24.03.

Includes three drawings with yellow flowers analogous to those decorating a china dinner plate in the Artifacts series, item 2006.70.04.

Two sets of blueprints for shape construction for square and round shapes. Conserved in between rigid cardboard, open with care as the blueprints will curl up.

up to 20 x 24

Contains four large sketchpads with pencil drawings, mostly of nudes. In very fragile condition, please see staff for consultation.

Contains four large sketchpads with pencil drawings, mostly of nudes. In very fragile condition, please see staff for consultation.

This artifact series comprises three subseries: ceramic work; tools and equipment; and personal artifacts. All artifacts are housed and described in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection (Mss 1.03).

Pieces from Thorley's ceramic work. Including plates, cups and saucers, pots, and other work. All artifacts are housed and described in the Manuscripts Artifact Collection (Mss 1.03).

Item 1997.24.01: Pot with cover, Wedgewood, Red deer and oxen border, 1914. Jar with cover with an oxblood red border containing details of deer, oxen, and flowers over a green-brown ground. Lid features a large flower. Base glaze is unevenly colored. Signed "J. Palin Thorley, 1914" on bottom of pot. PT 11. Dimensions: Pot - 4 1/2" diameter x 3" high; Cover - 3 5/16 diameter x 11/16" high. Condition: Pot and cover both expertly repaired from fragments. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13130721435 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13130845013. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 5. Mss 1997.24.01.

Item 1997.24.02: Vase, small. Small vase with mottled cobalt blue over a dark black-green ground. "Palin Thorley, Eng S 15 H, and GO 5K2" on bottom. PT 31. Dimensions: 3 1/4" diameter x 4 1/2" high. Condition excellent. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13131029064. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 5. Mss 1997.24.02

Item 1997.24.03: Plate, small, round. Small round porcelain plate. Pink speckled glaze with pink-gold luster details of a vegetal pattern around the edge and a painterly landscape of a church in the center. Most likely a test plate; "PG" and "3A" written on back in green pencil. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 036. Dimensions: 6 3/8" diameter x 1/2" high. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464467483 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464465753. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.03

Item 1997.24.4a: Globular Pink Lustre Vase, circa 1950-1970 Globular pink lustre vase. Gloss cream base color with decorative pink lustre stems, leaves and flowers. "Palin Thorley, Williamsburg, Virginia" maker's mark on base in black. USA, Williamsburg, 1950-1970 J. Palin Thorley. Dimensions: 4 7/8" high x 2 1/2" diameter. J. Palin Thorley design and execution. Image available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12225698654. Transferred from the J. Palin Thorley Papers (Mss Acc 1996.62); original label Austin PT 037. Located in TE S6, SS3, Box 3. Mss 1997.24.04a

Item 1997.24.05: Jug, pink lustre, pottery. Pink lustre pottery jug or creamer made in Williamsburg, USA, 1950 - 1970. Designed by J. Palin Thorley. Features an off white ground with pink lustre landscape with a church, trees, fence, and birds. Decorated handle and rim. Bottom: "Pa:T" and "St". Another marking is present (a stamp) but is illegible. See also J. Palin Thorley Papers. PT 054. Dimension: Body - 4" diameter x 4 1/8" high. Overall including handle and spout - 5 1/2" x 4" x 4 1/8" high. Condition: One 3/8" long apparently stable hairline crack in rim at base of spout on clockwise side when viewed from the top. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13292623823. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 6. Mss 1997.24.05

Item 1997.24.06: Plate, small, round, luster, experimental. Small round plate. Features test patterns and identifications of different pink and purple luster formulas. Green "Taylor Smith Taylor USA" maker's mark on back. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 056. Dimensions: 6 3/8" diameter x 9/16" high. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464294055 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464807534. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.06

Item 1997.24.07: Brick, large. Polychrome with chinoiserie flowers. Large brick-shaped container with red, green, and lustre brown chinoiserie flowers over a semigloss creme base. Top surface has one 2 1/2" x 1 3/4" hole and 12 1/4" diameter holes. "Palin Thorley, Williamsburg" on bottom. PT 57. Dimensions: 7 x 2 7/8" base; 7 3/8 x 3 3/8" top; x 3 7/8" high. Condition excellent. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13131012524 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13130735815. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 5. Mss 1997.24.07

Item 1997.24.08: Mug, silver resist lustre, pottery. Pottery mug with silver luster glaze and resist pattern made in Williamsburg, USA, 1950 - 1970 by J. Palin Thorley. Silver lustre over resisted tan ground featuring a grape vine pattern around top 2 1/4" of body. "Palin Thorley Williamsburg, VA" on bottom. See also J. Palin Thorley Papers. PT061. Dimensions: 3 3/8" diameter x 4 1/2" high. The handle is 1/2" wide and extends 1 3/8" from body. Condition excellent. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13292450515. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 6. Mss 1997.24.08

Item 1997.24.09: Vase, globular. Globular vase with gloss mottled blue-green glaze on brown ground. "Palin Thorley, Williamsburg, VA" maker's mark on bottom also with "S 15-H; GO 14 - B; and GO 14 - D3." PT 86. Dimensions: 4 3/4" diameter x 4 3/8" high. Condition excellent. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13131020114. Located in TE S6, SS3, Box4. Mss 1997.24.09

Square earthenware flower brick produced for Colonial Williamsburg's Craft House by J. Palin Thorley. Cream background with burgundy colored floral transfer design and added accents in teal and yellow. SCRC Purchase. Mss 2014.215.01

Item 1997.24.10: Creamer, "Mount Vernon", Sears, Granitone, Hall China. Creamer, "Mount Vernon" pattern. Sears Granitone. Hall China. Egg shell white with blue and gold patterned band about outer top edge, a single red rose on the inside surface, and gold accent stripes about top rim, handle sides and base. Design by J. Palin Thorley. PT 121. Dimensions: 6" handle to lip inclusive x 3 9/16" wide at top x 3 1/4" high. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464455063 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464451933. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.10

Item 1997.24.11: Chinoiserie Plate, dinner, polychrome tree, bone china, New Chelsea, Staffordshire, England, 1936 - 1940. Chinoiserie dinner plate with 6" diameter round off-white central area containing polychrome flowering bonsai-like tree and birds. Image is surrounded by deep blue border area featuring a motif of gold bonsai trees and boats, as well as gold pattern around the shallowly scalloped edge. Anchor and "New Chelsea Staff.s, made in England" with red item number 3527 on back. (PT 122, 2). Excellent condition; back contains a few barely-noticible chips/spots from the mold pouring. Dimensions: 8 11/16" diameter x 7/8" high. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13452662684 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13452403153. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 8. Mss 1997.24.11

Item 1997.24.12: Plate, Wedgewood, girl in landscape, 1914. Octagonal plate with 6" diameter round off-white central area containing a hand painted polychrome scene, which features a brown-haired girl gathering daffodils and violets in a mountain landscape; image is outlined faintly in gold and surrounded by a deep blue border with metallic gold line pattern at edge. Partial fingerprint in the decoration visible in the mountains by the girl's right arm. Decoration signed on the front right bottom corner "J. P. Thorley 1914". Jug-shaped maker's mark with "Wedgewood, England" on bottom; features a sticker for lot number 169 from Christie's East. PT 130. Dimensions: 8 11/16" diameter x 7/8" high. Excellent condition. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13452677244 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13452306245. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 8. Mss 1997.24.12

Item 1997.2413a: Candlestick, copper lustre. Copper lustre candlestick. Swirling, vegetal decorations. Shaft leans to one side. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. Mate to Item 1997.2413b, PT 341 in Box 5. PT 136. Dimensions: 6 1/2" high x 3 3/8" square base x 1 3/16" diameter shaft x 2 3/8" diameter top end. Image available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12225883176. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 3. Mss 1997.24.13a

Item 1997.2413b: Candlestick, bisque. Tan, unglazed (bisque) candlestick having a slight tilt. PT 341. Dimensions: 6 11/16" high x 3 1/2" square base x 2 1/2" round top. Condition excellent except for tilt. A mate to PT 136 (1997.24.13a) - Copper Lustre Candlestick housed in Box 3. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13131014334. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 5. Mss 1997.24.13b

Item 1997.24.14: Brick, small with mottled ground. Small brick-shaped container with a mottled cream, blue, and brown gloss glaze; drips and runs visible. Top surface has one 1 3/8 x 1 1/8" rectangular hole and twelve 3/16" holes. The bottom shows a "Palin Thorley, Williamsburg, VA" maker's mark .PT 172 Dimensions: 5" wide x 2 1/4" dep x 2 1/2" high. Condition excellent. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13130730845. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 5. Mss 1997.24.14

Item 1997.24.15: Pot, covered, pale mint. Pale minty turquoise covered pot and lid decorated with white and brown flowers. "PT" tag is inside top. Pot and top are eliptical on plan view. PT 176. Dimensions: Top - 3 5/8" x 2 3/4" x 1"; Pot - 5" x 4" x 2 1/2" overall. Condition excellent. "S 16 Eng" on bottom. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13131024154. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 5. Mss 1997.24.15

Item 1997.24.16: Bowl, shallow, green and gold. Shallow green bowl. Floral bud pattern and trim in gold lustre. Matte green glaze. "Palin Thorley, Williamsburg" maker's mark in gold lustre on bottom. Pottery, USA, Williamsburg, 1950 - 1970, J. Palin Thorley. PT 300. Dimensions: 5 1/2" diameter x 1 3/8" high. Images available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12225875336 and http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12225287995. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 3. Mss 1997.24.16

Item 1997.24.17: Container, square, mottled dark blue. Dark mottled blue, gloss glaze, square container in excellent condition. Top surface has pattern of five 1 1/4" round holes and twelve 5/16" round holes. Signed "Palin Thorley, Williamsburg" on bottom. PT 306. Dimensions: 4" square base; 4 1.5/16" square top; 4" tall. Condition excellent. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 5. Mss 1997.24.17

Item 1997.24.19: Plate, small, semi-square, crystalline. Small semi-square plate with rounded corners. Pale yellow and pale sage green gloss glaze with brown and green crystalline formations. Most likely a test plate; "PC-10" and "37-A" written on back in pencil. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 321. Dimensions: 6 1/8" x 6 1/8" x 9/16." Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464267955, https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464265615 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12505845434. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.19

Item 1997.24.20: Plate, small, semi-square, crystalline. Small semi-square plate. Green and pale yellow gloss glaze with green and brown crystalline formations. Most likely a test plate; "RC-10" and "32-C" written on back in pencil. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 322. Dimensions: 6 1/8" x 6 1/8" x 9/16". Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464479543 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464823184. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.20

Item 1997.24.21: Plate, small, round, crystalline. Small round plate glazed on one side. Pale yellow gloss glaze with light green and brown crystalline formations. Most likely a test plate; "RC-10" and "29-B" written on back in pencil. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 323. Dimensions: 6 1/8" D. x 5/8" H. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464302635 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464300655. Located in TE S6 SS3. Box 4. Mss 1997.24.21

Item 1997.24.22: Plate, small, semi-square, crystalline. Small semi-square plate with rounded corners. Pale yellow and pale green gloss glaze with small green and brown crystalline formations. Most likely a test plate, "RC-10" and "37-E" written in pencil on back. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 324. Dimensions: 6 1/8" x 6 1/8" x 9/16". Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464319795, https://www.flickr.com/photos/sc.rc/12464318135 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464830914. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.22

Item 1997.24.23: Plate, small, semi-square, crystalline. Small, semi-square plate. Pale brown-yellow and green gloss glaze with grey-green crystalline formations. Most likely a test plate; "RC-10" and "36-C" written on back with pencil. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 325. Dimensions: 6 1/8" X 6 1/8" X 9/16". Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464483773 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464311515. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.23

Item 1997.24.24: Plate, small, round, crystalline. Small round plate with pale blue semi-gloss crystalline textured glaze on front. Most likely a test plate; "RC-10" and "46-A" written on back with green pencil. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 326. Dimensions: 6" diameter x 9/16" high. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464475383 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464304035. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.24

Item 1997.2425a: Dish, leaf shape, bisque. Leaf shaped dish. Bisque/biscuit stoneware. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 327. Dimensions: 6 1/2" wide x 6 3/8" high x 1 3/16" deep. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464270905 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464786404. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.25a

Item 1997.2425b: Dish, leaf shape. Green and brown glaze. Leaf shaped dish with gloss green-blue gloss glaze in the center and semi-gloss crystalline brown glaze along the edges. Black logo on underside of leaf. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. Makers mark on bottom reading "Palin Thorley. Williamsburg, Virginia." PT 328. Dimensions: 6 1/2" wide x 6 3/8" high x 1 3/16" deep. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464446673, https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464791864 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464790254. Located in TE S6, SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.25b

Item 1997.24.26: Vase, five finger, copper lustre, pottery. Pottery copper lustre five finger vase made in Williamsburg, USA, 1950 - 1970 by J. Palin Thorley. A five finger pottery vase with copper lustre glaze having blue and light green highlights on vegetal details. Dark green band around base. "Palin Thorley, Williamsburg, Virginia" on bottom. See also J. Palin Thorley Papers. PT 355. Dimensions: Base 3 1/4" square; vase overall 7 1'4" wide x 3 1/4" front to back x 7" high. Condition excellent. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13292455455 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13292456065. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 6. Mss 1997.24.26

Item 1997.24.27: Dish, saucer, green fronds. Dish (saucer) with green frond pattern in crystalline green and black glaze. "JPT" monogram glazed on bottom. Pottery, USA, Williamsburg, 1950 - 1970 J. Palin Thorley. PT 360. Dimensions: 5 5/16" diameter x 1 5/16" deep. Images available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12225285855/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12225877896, and http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12225876786. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 3. Mss 1997.24.27

Item 1997.24.28: Plate, small, round, experimental. Small round plate with scalloped edges and a molded leaf design around the top edge. Features 18 green and blue brushed glaze tests on tan-yellow background. Design and execution by J. Palin Thorley. PT 361. Dimensions: 6 11/16" diameter x 5/8" high. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464459373and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12464286795. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 4. Mss 1997.24.28

Item 1997.24.29: Jug, "Thorley Jug", Pottery Pottery jug ("Thorley Jug") made in Ohio 1940 - 1950 by Hall China Co. - design by Palin Thorley. Small white pitcher-type design with gold lustre snowflake-like decorative band around body ~ 1 1/2" below top rim. Ornate, angular handle. On bottom: "Hall, Made in USA. 1540". See also J. Palin Thorley Papers. PT 807. Condition: excellent. Dimensions: Body only - 5" maximum diameter, 5" high. Body plus handle and spout (overall) - 6 1/2" x 5" x 5 1/2" high. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13292454165. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 6. Mss 1997.24.29

Item 2006.70.01: Brick, large, square. Large square brick-shaped container with light green green ground featuring a pattern of leaves, stems, and berries in white. Matching tracings can be found in papers. Top has five large (1 1/4") and sixteen small (3/8") round holes. Bottom contains no markings. See also J. Palin Thorley Papers. PT 350. Dimensions: 4" square bottom; 5" square top; 4" high. Excellent condition. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13292622773. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 6. Mss 2006.70.01

Item 2006.70.02: Plate, Dinner. English Spring Bouquet, blue laurel, circa 1930 Dinner plate with blue laurel English Spring Bouquet pattern. Cream background. Bone china from Taylor Smith Taylor pottery East Liverpool, Ohio. Design and decoration by J. Palin Thorley. Signed " J. Palin Thorley ." PT835. Dimensions: 9 1/8" Dia. x 3/4" H; Excellent condition. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 1. Mss 2006.70.02

Item 2006.70.03: Bowl, Berry. Hall China. Sears Monticello. Small, shallow, off white bowl with flower design around rim. Sears Monticello pattern made by Hall China. PT 815. Excellent condition. Dimensions: 5 1/8" diameter x 1 1/4" high. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13292616133. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 7. Mss 2006.70.03

Item 2006.70.04: Plate, dinner. China, Experimental. Painted with flowers, unfinished. Experimental china dinner plate. Bisque and glost fired, then painted with glaze in a pattern of yellow flowers on an off-white base; was never fired for a final time in a decoration-firing kiln, flower decoration powdery and extremely fragile. Only such object in existence. Due to its fragile nature, this plate is not available to researchers. PT 703. Dimensions: 10.1875 in. (diameter) x 1 in. high. Excellent condition. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/13292449645. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 7. Mss 2006.70.04

Item 2006.70.05: Pot, Ointment. Glazed Glazed ointment pot. Gloss olive glaze with semi-gloss light turquoise tear drop glaze pattern. Interior is gloss caramel color. Dark blue slip base. Bottom has four turquoise dots and is inscribed "SLP1" (sgraffito) and "CM55AMM" (written in black). Most likely a test pot. See also J.Palin Thorley papers. Mss 1996.62. PT243. Dimensions: 3" diameter x 2 1/4" high. Excellent condition. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12504766885 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12505242804. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 2. Mss 2006.70.05

Item 2006.70.07: Bowl, fluted and footed, unglazed. Ceramic fluted, footed bowl having bisqued, unglazed buff matte finish. Resembles a tulip. No markings. Design by J. Palin Thorley. See also J.Palin Thorley papers Mss 1996.62 and Mss 2006.70.06 Molds (3), Working body and feet, small grooved and large round, which match this item. PT835. Dimensions: 3 9/16" L x 2 13/16" W x 2 3/8" H. Excellent condition. Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12505241544. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 2. Mss 2006.70.07

Item 2006.70.8A: Sugar Bowl by J. Palin Thorley, 1930-1987 Silver luster ceramic sugar bowl. Silver background with Dogwood flower and leaf pattern in cream color. Silver ring on the interior. Signed "Palin Thorley Williamsburg" in red on the bottom. Part of a sugar bowl and creamer set. Designed and made by J. Palin Thorley. Signed " Palin Thorley Williamsburg, V." PT867-a,b. Dimensions: Bowl 2 3/16"H x 3 3/4" dia. ; creamer 3 3/8" H x 3 15/16" W x 3" dia. Excellent condition. Transferred from the J. Palin Thorley Papers (Mss1996.62.). Image available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12504885493. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 2. Mss 2006.70.8a,b

Item 2006.70.8B: Creamer by J. Palin Thorley, 1930-1987 Silver luster ceramic creamer. Silver background with Dogwood flower and leaf pattern in cream color. Signed "Palin Thorley Williamsburg" on the bottom in red. Part of a sugar bowl and creamer set. Designed and made by J. Palin Thorley. Signed " Palin Thorley Williamsburg, V." PT867-a,b. Dimensions: Bowl 2 3/16"H x 3 3/4" dia. ; creamer 3 3/8" H x 3 15/16" W x 3" dia. Excellent condition. Transferred from the J. Palin Thorley Papers (Mss1996.62.). Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12505229814 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12505223604. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 2. Mss 2006.70.8a,b

Item 2006.70.9A: Scarab Coffee Cup by Chelson China, 1930-1987 Ceramic demitasse coffee cup, part of an espresso cup and saucer set. White background with multi-colored glazed winged scarab pattern. Black trim ring around top edge, black handle. Bottom has anchor framed by "England Chelson China" beneath which is inscription "w. Savill Co. Porcelain House 22 Oxford St. W. I." The manufacturer's catalog number is indicated as 3570A. PT162-1,2. Dimensions: Cup 2 3/16"H x 2 1/8" dia. x 2 7/8" W; saucer 3/4" H x 4 1/4" dia. Excellent condition. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12504871243 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12504868423.Transferred from the J.Palin Thorley Papers (Mss 1996.62). Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 2. Mss 2006.70.9a,b

Item 2006.70.9B: Scarab Saucer by Chelson China, 1930-1987 Ceramic demitasse saucer, part of an espresso cup and saucer set. White background with multi-colored glazed winged scarab pattern. Black trim ring around top edge. Bottom has anchor framed by "England Chelson China" beneath which is inscription "w. Savill Co. Porcelain House 22 Oxford St. W. I." The manufacturer's catalog number is indicated as 3570A. PT162-1,2. Dimensions: Cup 2 3/16"H x 2 1/8" dia. x 2 7/8" W; saucer 3/4" H x 4 1/4" dia. Excellent condition. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12505247114 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12504771265. Transferred from the J.Palin Thorley Papers (Mss 1996.62). Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 2. Mss 2006.70.9a,b

Item 2006.70.10: Small plate, large pink flowers, 1930-1987 Small dessert plate with large pink flowered pattern on creme background. Purple/gold lustre accents, ring and rim. Imperial Bone China, Charles Allerton, England. PT 833. Dimensions: 6 1/2" Diam. x 5/8" H. Condition Excellent. Images available at www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12224084765 and www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12224668196. Transferred from the J. Palin Thorley Papers (Mss. Acc. 1996.62). Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 1. Mss 2006.70.10

Item 2006.70.11: Plate, dinner. English Abbey Pattern, 1930 - 1987 Dinner plate with English Abbey pattern in blue with laurel accents on creme white background. Taylor Smith and Taylor pottery Design and decoration by J. Palin Thorley. Signed "J. Palin Thorley." PT 833. Dimensions: 9 1/8" Diam. x 11/16" H. Condition Excellent. Images available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12224491074/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/scrc/12224666856/. Located in TE S6 SS3, Box 1. Mss 2006.70.11

Biographical / historical:
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Mss. Acc. 1996-62 was a gift received on 12/23/1996. Mss. Acc. 1997-24 was a gift received on 5/9/1997: 16 pieces of Palin Thorley pottery including jugs, vases, plates, glazes, both his pre-williamsburg and Williamsburg sojourns. On loan until made a gift in 1998 are thirteen pieces. Mss. Acc. 2006-70 was a gift received on 11/21/2006: Pottery pieces include a green brick with leaves, a blue laurel English Spring Bouquet dinner plate, a Hall china berry bowl, an experimental china (unfired) dinner plate, a glazed ointment pot, 3 molds of working body and feet, a fluted and footed bowl that matches molds, a silver luster sugar bowl and creamer, a scarab coffee cup and saucer, and small plate with large pink flowers, and an blue/garland English Abbey dinner plate.

Processing information:

The finding aid was added to Archon on 5/16/2008 by Amy C. Schindler, University Archivist. The collection was initially processed by Jennie Davy, SCRC Staff, in 2008. The biography of J. Palin Thorley was written by Chandi Singer, Burger Archives Specialist. Additional processing of the collection by Jerry Limber, SCRC Staff, and Chandi Singer in 2009-2010 and Priscilla Wood, SCRC Staff, and Justin Ferrell, SCRC Staff, in May-July 2010. The box list inventory was added by Justin Ferrell in July 2010. The collection was fully processed in 2015 by Eve Bourbeau-Allard, graduate assistant, and Kelly Manno, undergraduate student assistant.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into nine thematic series: Business Correspondence; Personal Correspondence and Papers; Legal Documents; Financial Documents; Studio Notes; Photographs; Publications and Reference Materials; Studio Art; and Artifacts. The internal arrangement of each series varies according to context, either alphabetically, chronologically, thematically, or by medium.

Physical / technical requirements:

The fragile nature of some ceramics may limit handling.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard