While the museum honours the broader heritage of South Devon ceramics, the heart and soul of our exhibits belong to Watcombe Pottery, the famous pottery established in 1869 after fine red terracotta clay was discovered in the grounds of Watcombe House. Watcombe was the true pioneer that sparked Torquay’s entire ceramic boom, earning royal patronage from Queen Victoria and supplying premier London retailers like Liberty’s with breath taking art wares. Alongside Watcombe, the collection celebrates other luminaries of the region, including the Torquay Terra Cotta Co., Aller Vale, and Honiton Potteries, whose brilliant innovations helped shape the area's golden age of clay.
Carl Filby’s collection showcases the remarkable range and artistic evolution of these historic Devon potteries across nearly a century of production, from their Victorian origins in 1869 through to the mid-20th century.
- Early Terracotta & Enamel Wares (1869–1890s): Rare early masterworks made from signature fine red and local ball clays, featuring classical busts, urns, and sleek unglazed shapes by Watcombe and the Torquay Terra Cotta Co., many inspired by legendary designer Dr. Christopher Dresser.
- Royal Wares & High-End Art Pottery: Outstanding glazed pieces, hand-painted faience, and delicate floral designs featuring poppies, irises, and kingfishers, crafted by master artisans such as Alexander Fisher and Harry Crute at Watcombe, alongside striking sgraffito and slip-decorated masterpieces from Aller Vale artists like Charles Collis.
- Classic Devon Motto Ware: Iconic slip decorated teapots, jugs, and butter dishes produced across multiple Torquay potteries, adorned with traditional cottages, gulls, and witty Devonshire proverbs written in unmistakable Cornish and Devonian dialect.
- Rare Post-War Specialities: Scarce mid-century ranges including Widecombe Fair, Polka Dot, and Winter Cottage patterns that mark the final, vibrant chapters of South Devon's iconic ceramic tradition.