Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co. “Dagmar” Wash Bowl

An elegant Victorian wash bowl by Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co. (BWM & Co.), one of the leading English pottery manufacturers of the 19th century. Produced at the renowned Cauldon Place Works in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, this beautiful piece bears the company’s BWM & Co. backstamp, used between 1862 and 1904.

height 15 diam 39 cm

Decorated in the highly desirable Dagmar pattern, this design was introduced in the late 1860s and takes its name from Princess Dagmar of Denmark, whose 1866 marriage to the future Tsar Alexander III of Russia captivated Victorian society. As the sister of Princess Alexandra, the Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra), Dagmar was closely associated with the British Royal Family, inspiring a number of commemorative decorative arts during the period.

The bowl is crafted in fine earthenware and decorated using the traditional transferware printing technique, showcasing an elegant sepia palette. Its richly detailed border combines delicate floral bouquets with striking geometric cartouches inspired by the Aesthetic Movement, creating a sophisticated yet timeless design. Raised on a graceful pedestal foot, its generous proportions make it an impressive decorative statement.

Originally produced as part of a Victorian washstand set, this bowl is equally beautiful displayed on its own as a centrepiece, filled with seasonal fruit or flowers, or paired with other antique English ceramics. A wonderful example of Victorian craftsmanship, it offers both historical significance and enduring decorative appeal.