Harry Tittensor was born in Burslem on 20th April 1887, the son of Jarvis Tittensor, potter, and Hannah Cliffe. On 25th May 1912 he married May Wright, daughter of Elijah Wright, engineer, by licence at Burslem Parish Church. The marriage certificate describes him as a designer of Newport House, Burslem.
He was apprenticed at Doulton & Co from 1900 and trained at the Burslem School of Art, where he later became a teacher. An article on the Renaissance of Staffordshire Figure-making [4] says "between 1914 and 1921 several other sculptors made contributions to the range. They included Albert Toft, Lawrence Perugini, and two resident artists, Harry Tittensor RI, and Ernest W Light, both local art masters. Tittensor's The Gainsborough Hat, Pretty Lady and The Parson's Daughter; Light's Lady of the Fan, Lady with Rose, The Curtsey and the Flounced Skirt; Perugini's Shy Anne and other child studies; and Noke's Carpet Vendor, Guy Fawkes and An Old King opened up new directions which were to inspire many subsequent creations. In helping Noke to establish the new figure department on a sound basis, Tittensor - one of the most versatile all-round artists ever employed by Doulton - played an inestimably important part". Other books also show examples of his work [3, 5]. He left Doulton & Co in 1925 to work as a painter in oil & watercolour and taught at various schools of art.
For many years was a designer with the Chromo Transfer Co in Burslem. The prizes in the British Pottery Manufacturers Federation design competition were won by Chromo Transfer Co for both the jubilee of George V [9] and the coronation of Edward VIII [10]. The Edward VIII design was also used for the coronation of George VI. It seems likely that Harry Tittensor was the designer. Interestingly the commemorative mug produced for the coronation of George V by Taylor and Kent in 1911 has Tittensor printed below the rim [11], so it is possible he designed this too.
He was painted landscapes and figures in both water colours and oils. He became a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours in 1931 [1,6]. Much of his work was exhibited and sold by the Fine Art Society in London [3]. He also exhibited at the Royal Academy [2]. A picture entitled "The Bird Shop, San Malo", exhibited by the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours in 1932, was bought by the Queen [7].
Harry TITTENSOR of The Boat House, Barlaston died age 55 on 19th July 1942 at Cheshire Joint Sanatorium in Loggerheads. Letters of administration were granted in Manchester 12 October to May Tittensor, widow. Effects 563.15.1d. He is buried at the church of St John the Baptist, Barlaston where the memorial inscription reads "To the dear memory of Harry Tittensor of Barlaston July 19 1942".
A memorial exhibition of his work was held in the Russell Gallery of Hanley Museum [8].
Information about his works can be accessed via these links:
References[1] Dictionary of British Artists 1880-1940 , Antique Collectors Club Research Project, Compiled by J.Johnson & A.Greutzner. [2] Royal Academy Exhibitors 1905-1970 Volume IV, EP Publishing 1982. [3] "The Doulton Burslem Wares" by Desmond Eyles. Pub. Barrie & Jenkins. [4] "Royal Doulton Figures produced at Burslem, Staffordshire 1892-1944" by Desmond Eyles, Louise Irvine & Valerie Baynton, 3rd edition, pub. Richard Dennis, 1994. [5] The History of Doulton , Lyle Publications 1986. [6] The Times 20 May 1931 (page 11 column D). [7] The Evening Sentinel 22 March 1932. [8] The Evening Sentinel 23 September 1942. [9] The Pottery Gazette 1935 page 100. [10] The Pottery Gazette 1st Aug 1936 page 1049. [11] www.worthpoint.com
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