Kent & Parr| Staffordshire earthenware figures, hen boxes (‘nest eggs’)

Earthenware figure manufacturer at the Wellington Street Works, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

Around 1880, William Kent joined John Parr in the business, which became known as Kent & Parr. The firm continued to manufacture earthenware figures, particularly Staffordshire figures and dogs, at the Wellington Street Works.
Although the Parr name was retained appears that John Parr stepped back from the business when William Kent joined.
Mankowitz & Haggar note: "It is likely that Kent of Burslem took over their (Parr) plant and moulds in 1878" Concise Encyclopedia of English Pottery & Porcelain" p.171.
An 1887 directory records "Gaskell, Kent & Parr" at the Novelty Works, Burslem. Nothing more is known about this partnership.
In 1894, William Kent took sole control of the business and continued production under his own name.

"Wellington Street Works (Staffordshire Figures) - John Parr was producing Staffordshire earthenware figures, hen boxes (‘nest eggs’), etc., at Wellington Street from about 1870 to the 1880s. In 1880, he was joined by Mr. Kent and the style became Kent & Parr."

Geoffrey A. Godden, Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain, 1800–1900, revised edition (1972). The account of the Wellington Street Works appears in Godden's revision and does not seem to have appeared in Jewitt's original 1878 edition.

"Wellington Street Works (Staffordshire Figures)

John Parr was producing Staffordshire earthenware figures, hen boxes (‘nest eggs’), etc., at Wellington Street from about 1870 to the 1880s.

In 1880, he was joined by Mr. Kent and the style became Kent & Parr. An interesting advertisement of 1881 (which claims the firm’s establishment in the year 1814) reads:

‘KENT & PARR . . . MANUFACTURERS OF ALL KINDS OF EARTHENWARE FIGURES AND ORNAMENTS, comprising centre pieces, Dogs, White & Gold, Black & White, Red & White; Hounds, standing, Sitting and Lying; Poodle Dogs all in several sizes; Watch stands; Hens and a very large assortment of GROSS figures; carpet Balls, number Balls, Nest Eggs, Bird cisterns . . . Special attention to Carpet Balls and Nest Eggs for Export.’

Dogs of the above type are shown in Plate 23."

Two typical Staffordshire earthenware dogs of a traditional form made by Kent & Parr
Two typical Staffordshire earthenware dogs
of a traditional form made by Kent & Parr

"Plate 23. Two typical Staffordshire earthenware dogs of a traditional form made by Kent & Parr, as well as by many other firms, in the second half of the the nineteenth century. Copies are still being made" Editors Collection

Geoffrey A. Godden, Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain, 1800–1900, revised edition (1972).

Figurine of Mother Goose on goose-back.
Earthenware, Kent & Parr, Staffordshire, ca.1890.
Harry R. Beard Collection