Marks and Labelling

Lanyon Quoit, an ancient dolmen that stands on the road between Madron and Morvah, was the inspiration for the Tremaen Mark.

There is little consistency in the marking of Tremaen. Early pieces often had an impressed mark but later pieces had small labels attached. These were often placed on the side of the pot and it is not surprising that most have been removed or lost. The irritating sticky residue from the glue is often the only evidence left of a label. Paper labels were also attached to the underneath of lamp bases but again many of these have been lost through time, particularly when the felt has been disturbed to rewire the lamp. Different coloured labels were used, sometimes in conjunction with an impressed mark. Using paper labels was perhaps favoured because of the difficulty of impressing leather hard slip moulded pieces with the mark. Some impressed marks, formed as a circular lozenge, were later attached to the sides of the lamp bases prior to firing.

blue lamp base label
blue lamp base label
couple in bed lamp base hand written mark
couple in bed lamp base hand written mark
dish impressed mark
dish impressed mark

gold  lamp base label
gold lamp base label
lamp base impressed mark
lamp base impressed mark
lamp base paper label
lamp base paper label

lamp base with impressed mark and date 1980
lamp base with dated lozenge mark
lamp base with impressed mark and paper label
lamp base impressed mark and paper label
large moon vase impressed mark
large moon vase impressed mark

round house lamp base impressed mark
figural lamp base impressed mark
small moon vase impressed mark
small moon vase impressed mark

Identifying Tremaen is not a precise art but there are distinctive glaze colours, features and qualities that make Tremaen instantly recognisable to the discerning eye.

The following identification checklist may be useful;
1. Is there an impressed mark or paper label attached?
2. Is it moulded? (If it is thrown it almost certainly isn't Tremaen)
3. Is the colour pastel, muted, earthy or rusty?
4. Does it depict Cornish scenes or features of the landscape?
5. Are there influences of period abstract designs or sculptures?