Page 76 - Alan Blakeman Collection catalogue

179. THAMES TUNNEL INKWELL. 2.75ins tall. Predominantly light brown salt glaze with some darker speckling to top left rear upper section, almost certainly manufactured by a London pottery, though unmarked as such. Highly detailed depiction of stick like workmen on three levels to both left and right of tunnel sections - much ornamentation inscribed around. Scroll like top area with a single pen hole in centre. Sgraffito swirls to rear. Minor base wear and in manufacture flaws but no damages. Only example of this variant recorded. (BBR carried a two page feature in issue 166 with full background info on the history of the construction of the tunnel and the only recorded variant (with three holes to top) which sold last year for £6,600.) (AB Inks book p20) 9/10. NR. £2,000-3,000+