Products
Vanilla Glaze. Dimensions: Height 20cm, Diameter 10cm. Individually handmade by Bridie Hall - no two are the same.
"For as long as l have visited the pottery galleries at the V&A, I have admired their small collection of bear bottles and jugs. As my interest in pottery grew and turned into a hobby, I would notice more examples of these bears in museums and on specialist antique dealer websites.
Over the summer, I took a week out to stay home and make pottery all day, every day. I lined up the podcasts and figured out how I would make my version of a bear bottle. By then, I’d read up enough to know their origins and decided to omit the chains and dogs and thought a lot about the colours I would glaze them.
These bears were going to have happier lives. The more I made, the more I found out about them. Their history increasingly informed my plans for the little fellows and I decided not to turn them into something cute or funny.
Though, as strange as it sounds, I was happy to keep a slightly creepy weirdness about them.
I’m often attracted to the weird and wonderful and what first captivated me about these curious little things was their construction and purpose, and also the play on words; a ‘bear’ shaped ‘beer’ bottle. I loved the naivety of their form and the effect of the metallic tin glaze on the pottery ‘grog’ fur.
I thought that anyone able to make a chain from clay was very clever and to see surviving examples from the C18th, very special.
I amaze myself at how slow on the uptake I can be sometimes; how couldn’t I see what the chain might be for and why indeed these bears were holding dogs? The production side of my brain often takes over thoughts and it was asking ‘how would I make that?’ instead of ‘what is that?’.
The whimsical nature of my C18th inspirations portray the cruel yet popular sport of bear-baiting, a legal recreation in England until 1835. Made as souvenirs, they served as bottles, jugs and tobacco jars. The body of the bottle held the liquid contents while the head covered the opening and provided a drinking cup. Quite a social commentary of the time.
The bear bottles were made at a time when society was comfortable with the blood sport as entertainment. It was extremely popular from the Elizabethan period until it was banned in the C19th, over 300 years later. Every town and village throughout Britain is thought to have had a ‘bear garden’ (brings a new meaning to the word) where these spectacles were staged. What happened within these ‘bear gardens’ is truly too brutal to think about. Bulls were also dealt the same fate.
Despite being largely outlawed, sadly, there still remain small pockets in the world where bears continue to be cruelly exploited for this type of entertainment.
Since 1997, good work by the World Animal Protection charity has seen the number of bear-baiting events decrease dramatically. Success lies within working with local law enforcement officials and the bear owners themselves to support them in alternative livelihoods.
While the entire nature of this project has remained so very niche to me, with everything I have learned along the way, I have decided there is only one thing that I can do with these bear bottles that will help see their living counterparts into a better life - I will donate all proceeds of their sale to World Animal Protection.
I’m really pleased to be able to help this wonderful charity in their mission to help to liberate and care for these wonderful creatures. There is still a lot of cruelty in the world - we can help to stop it, and this is where I would like to lend a hand".
Alternatively, please visit the World Animal Protection Website to read about the work they do and consider supporting them with a donation, no amount is too small. Thank you.
The photograph of the bear relaxing is taken at one of the World Animal Protection supporter-funded bear sanctuaries - courtesy of World Animal Protection.
Irish Green Glaze. Dimensions: Height 21cm, Diameter 12cm. Individually handmade by Bridie Hall - no two are the same.
"For as long as l have visited the pottery galleries at the V&A, I have admired their small collection of bear bottles and jugs. As my interest in pottery grew and turned into a hobby, I would notice more examples of these bears in museums and on specialist antique dealer websites.
Over the summer, I took a week out to stay home and make pottery all day, every day. I lined up the podcasts and figured out how I would make my version of a bear bottle. By then, I’d read up enough to know their origins and decided to omit the chains and dogs and thought a lot about the colours I would glaze them.
These bears were going to have happier lives. The more I made, the more I found out about them. Their history increasingly informed my plans for the little fellows and I decided not to turn them into something cute or funny.
Though, as strange as it sounds, I was happy to keep a slightly creepy weirdness about them.
I’m often attracted to the weird and wonderful and what first captivated me about these curious little things was their construction and purpose, and also the play on words; a ‘bear’ shaped ‘beer’ bottle. I loved the naivety of their form and the effect of the metallic tin glaze on the pottery ‘grog’ fur.
I thought that anyone able to make a chain from clay was very clever and to see surviving examples from the C18th, very special.
I amaze myself at how slow on the uptake I can be sometimes; how couldn’t I see what the chain might be for and why indeed these bears were holding dogs? The production side of my brain often takes over thoughts and it was asking ‘how would I make that?’ instead of ‘what is that?’.
The whimsical nature of my C18th inspirations portray the cruel yet popular sport of bear-baiting, a legal recreation in England until 1835. Made as souvenirs, they served as bottles, jugs and tobacco jars. The body of the bottle held the liquid contents while the head covered the opening and provided a drinking cup. Quite a social commentary of the time.
The bear bottles were made at a time when society was comfortable with the blood sport as entertainment. It was extremely popular from the Elizabethan period until it was banned in the C19th, over 300 years later. Every town and village throughout Britain is thought to have had a ‘bear garden’ (brings a new meaning to the word) where these spectacles were staged. What happened within these ‘bear gardens’ is truly too brutal to think about. Bulls were also dealt the same fate.
Despite being largely outlawed, sadly, there still remain small pockets in the world where bears continue to be cruelly exploited for this type of entertainment.
Since 1997, good work by the World Animal Protection charity has seen the number of bear-baiting events decrease dramatically. Success lies within working with local law enforcement officials and the bear owners themselves to support them in alternative livelihoods.
While the entire nature of this project has remained so very niche to me, with everything I have learned along the way, I have decided there is only one thing that I can do with these bear bottles that will help see their living counterparts into a better life - I will donate all proceeds of their sale to World Animal Protection.
I’m really pleased to be able to help this wonderful charity in their mission to help to liberate and care for these wonderful creatures. There is still a lot of cruelty in the world - we can help to stop it, and this is where I would like to lend a hand".
Alternatively, please visit the World Animal Protection Website to read about the work they do and consider supporting them with a donation, no amount is too small. Thank you.
The photograph of the bear relaxing is taken at one of the World Animal Protection supporter-funded bear sanctuaries - courtesy of World Animal Protection.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly between 18.5cm and 19cm, width approx. 7cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly between 18cm and 19cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly between 11.5cm and 12.5cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly between 14cm and 17.5cm, width approx. 10cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly between 13cm and 11.5cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly between 14cm and 16cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly between 10cm and 11cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly between 9cm and 12cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length roughly around 14cm, width approx. 13 cm.
Made by hand in London.
Gathered from Bridie's local garden square in late summer 2021. Slabs of clay were rolled out and the leaves pressed into them then cut around and fired.
Dimensions may vary due to handmade nature of this item - length around 14.5cm width approx. 15cm.
Made by hand in London.
These stylish pyramid boxes are meticulously hand built in the Parvum Opus bindery using Bridie Hall papers painted by artist Ian Harper. This design features a hidden compartment within the pyramid and a brass ball finial to cap it off.
Exclusive to Pentreath & Hall.
Dimensions: 28cm tall, 13cm wide at the base.
In collaboration with Bridie Hall. This beautiful pyramid box was meticulously hand built in the Parvum Opus bindery. This design features a hidden compartment within the pyramid and a brass ball finial to cap it off. Covered in the faux Malachite paper, painted by artist Ian Harper for Bridie.
Dimensions: 11" tall, 5" wide at the base.
These stylish pyramid boxes are meticulously hand built in the Parvum Opus bindery. This design features a hidden compartment within the pyramid and a brass ball finial to cap it off.
Exclusive to Pentreath & Hall.
Dimensions: 28cm tall, 13cm wide at the base.
These quatrefoil shadowbox frames are perfect for displaying small treasures, and are finely crafted in the Parvum Opus Michigan bindery. Each frame comprises a quatrefoil-shaped backing with a shallow tray base section, and a lift-off lid, lined with crystal-clear architectural model plastic and in collaboration with Bridie Hall has been covered in one of her faux finish papers, painted for her by artist Ian Harper. We’re pleased to offer these empty, so you can display your own collections,. The backs of these frames in an expertly selected coordinating paper pattern. Exclusive to Pentreath & Hall.
Exclusive to Pentreath & Hall.
Dimensions: Exterior dimensions 24cm x 24cm x 1.5cm. Interior dimensions 14.5cm x 14.5cm x 2cm.
These quatrefoil shadowbox frames are perfect for displaying small treasures, and are finely crafted in the Parvum Opus Michigan bindery. Each frame comprises a quatrefoil-shaped backing with a shallow tray base section, and a lift-off lid, lined with crystal-clear architectural model plastic and in collaboration with Bridie Hall has been covered in one of her faux finish papers, painted for her by artist Ian Harper. We’re pleased to offer these empty, so you can display your own collections,. The backs of these frames in an expertly selected coordinating paper pattern.
Exclusive to Pentreath & Hall.
Dimensions: Exterior dimensions 24cm x 24cm x 1.5cm. Interior dimensions 14.5cm x 14.5cm x 2cm.
Pentreath & Hall are delighted to announce our latest collaboration with Fine Cell Work, a social enterprise close to our hearts. We are thrilled to see our latest ‘Rainbow’ design realised as needlepoint cushions - the ultimate symbol of hope and happiness.
Fine Cell Work work with prison inmates, fostering hope, discipline and self esteem and help them to connect to society and to leave prison with the confidence and financial means to stop offending.
Backed with linen and filled with feather inner.
Dimensions: 60cm x 29cm
Rectangular Mirror in Atomic Red lacquered to a high gloss finish.
The mirror measures - Width 59cm Height 79cm, Depth (at its deepest) 3.5cm. Made exclusively for Pentreath & Hall by Bridie Hall.
Made to order - 12 week lead time.
Rectangular Mirror in Chinese Emperor Yellow lacquered to a high gloss finish.
The mirror measures - Width 59cm Height 79cm, Depth (at its deepest) 3.5cm. Made exclusively for Pentreath & Hall by Bridie Hall.
Made to order - 12 week lead time.