The family connection to T Lovatt

Sorry, my posts been erratic as Im on rural internet

Thomas Lovatt was somehow friends with my Mothers parents, as near as we can work out, he was a plasterer as was my Grandfather and they met in the South Island when my Grandfather worked down there-this is mainly deducted from Tom Lovatts history in the NZ Pottery Book by Gail Henry. They stayed in touch and when Tom Lovatt set up his pottery in Wellington my Great Uncle worked for him and is in a staff photograph in the Gail Henry book.
After Tom Lovatt went to Temuka, the friendship with my family continued and he often gave the family gifts of one off trial pieces of pottery such as the large mushroom glaze vase, the pieces often going into production with different glazes or decorations. Sadly, many of the pieces were give away by my Grandmother, my Mother remembers several animals including a hare and apparently, an elephant. We also used to have a large brown coffee pot which got broken and a wall vase in plain design similar to the on on the cover of one edition of the Gail Henry book which some how vanished over the years. Up until his death Tommy or Uncle Tommy stayed in touch with the family, even attending my parents wedding. I have a suspicion that it is possible more pieces will come to light eventually at my parents house when it eventually comes time to clear the house due to advancing age of my Mum.

Hi, I have been interested in the history of Temuka Pottery for a long time now and have amassed a (largish) collection of modern and older pieces. Do you remember a L Lovatt? I have a piece with this name inscribed on the bottom and have always wanted to know where it fits in with the scheme of things. It is in a sandy clay different to the usual clay used.

Hi Thelma,
Sorry can't help. Checked with my Mum and she didn't know. Wonder if it's English Langley ware and goes back to Lovatt and Lovatt, or a version of that ? Photos would be great. Tom Lovatt had sons, one of which was S LovattI who designed the dog I have,
He was the youngest son I think, the one my Mum knew and I think there were older boys. The Gail Henry book might have it, I need to re read it myself :-)

Actually, my bulldog has Temuka then just L L inscribed underneath. I do not thnk it is English. I would love to find out who made it. There is a photo of it in the Temuka gallery. When my computer stops having a hissy fit I will try again to post the photo of the base that I have just found.

Just looked at you gallery photo, the bull dog looks like a copy of the English Doulton Bulldogs that were common, usually with a Union Jack Flag draped over their backs - I have a very old one going back to 1930s/40s with a mark I have never identified.

LL used to be the Langley Mill mark for some of the Lovatt and Lovatt pottery around the early 1900s.
Im wondering if maybe it was somehow carried over for use in Temuka till Tom Lovatt started signing things in his own name. Who knows. But will keep an eye peeled as it is a mystery.