Thomas Field learnt his trade in the 'Pottery Brick and Tile Manufacturer' in Barnet, Hertfordshire near London. He had been born in the same place in 1815 and moved to Sydney in 1842. He set up a pottery at the south end of George Street close to town near what is now Central Station which continued in business under his sons Thomas's death in 1880. It was the manufacture of ginger beer bottles such as this example that was the mainstay of Field's output.

Field entered his wares in a number of exhibitions including the 'Natural & Industrial Products of NSW Exhibition' of 1854 in the (sadly unsuccessful) hope they would be chosen for display at Paris in 1855. Instead the products of James King at Irrawang were successful. He also displayed a selection of drain pipes, filters, water coolers, insulators and jars at the 'Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition' of 1866-67 where he received the impressive electrotype medal 'for general excellence in manufacture and form'. He was also successful at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition with two First Degrees of Merit. The George St - or commonly 'City Pottery' - was taken over by Field's sons and had become a very valuable property which they sold in 1887.

Ref. Geoff Ford, 'Australian Pottery: The First 100 Years', Saltglaze Press, 1995: 50-56

The impressed marks vary over time and are well documented in Geoff Ford's book, 'Australian Pottery: The First 100 Years', Saltglaze Press, 1995: 50-56

Ginger beer bottle, stoneware, Thomas Field, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1850-1860

Australian stoneware bottle by Thomas Field. H. 17 cm.(LC). Saltglazed ginger beer bottle; stamp impressed "T. Field Potter, Sydney" on lower side. Date: c. 1850-1860. Is Field's early mark. Condition: fair, chipped lip & shoulder.(SB).

Made: 1850 - 1860

A6131

1850 - 1860

168 mm

72 mm