MUDLEN END STUDIO COLLECTION
Introduction
This section of the web site catalogues my collection of Mudlen End Studio pottery.
I have divided the Mudlen End Studio collection into the following categories, which are used on this index page:
| Numbered Series | This category corresponds to the series of Mudlen End Studio cottages, which are
numbered from 1 to 44. Generally, each model carries the number on the underside. These models appear
in Mudlen End catalogues listed by number.
Early models carry the Mudlen End Studio backstamp, while later models carry the Country Cottages backstamp. There are a number of variations. |
| Named Models (Not Numbered) | This category covers models that are named but carry no number. Some may have been produced for special events or celebrations, others possibly for sale at the named venues. |
| Large Models (Hotels etc.) | A number of larger models were also produced, which were also likely to have been produced for
special occasions and perhaps as special orders, some in limited numbers. There are a number of hotel models
that fall into this category.
Most of these models, though not all, are on plinths with the name scribed onto the plinth itself. Many are believed to have been modelled by James Hart himself. Several are signed by him. |
| Themed Models | A number of the numbered series were produced in one of several themes: snow, flowers, bunting and colours.
The snow group is a special finish adopted for some of the models and are generally quite scarce.
The snow appears on the main roof and window sills.
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| Sets and Packaging | These pages provide details of Mudlen End Studio and English Country Cottages packaging, the latter corresponding to sets of three cottages that were sold in distinctive yellow boxes. |
| Great Storm Models | A group of three plinth mounted models commemorating the Great Storm that occurred in southern England in the early hours of October 16th 1987. |
| Other Models (Specials) | This group of models are ones that don't quite fit any of the other categories and includes money boxes and other specials. |
| French Series | It appears that a group of models were produced for the French market. It is believed that there are six models in the series. |
| Lark Rise to Candleford | A set of six models were produced based on the book "Lark Rise to Candleford" by Flora Thompson.
These are all marked LR and a number, 1 to 6.
The models appear similar to some of the cottages in the Numbered Series but are entirely distinct set of models. |
| Fragrant Homes | Several examples of perfume bottles were produced. These are unglazed models and do not match any of the conventional Mudlen End cottage models. |
| Mudlen Originals | Mudlen Originals was established in the US as a result of a collaboration between an American businessman and James Hart.
Initially the US company sold models produced by Mudlen End Studios but later were making models themselves, such as the Sagebrush Junction models. |
If you have any comments or questions about the site in general or specific items that are featured, please contact me. A Contact link is located at the bottom of each page.
The remainder of this home page shows examples of the Mudlen End Studio range of cottages and other models, divided into a series of categories. Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model. Hover over the image to show the model name.
Note: This site is still under development. While photographs are provided of many of the models, it is my intention to add further photographs and information - as and when I have the time!
Numbered Series
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
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Lark Rise to Candleford
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
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Themed Models (Bunting, Flowers, Snow, Colours)
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
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Named Models (Not Numbered)
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
Note that the thumbnail images in this group are not to scale - the phone box is nothing like the size of the church!
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Large Models (Hotels etc.)
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
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Sets and Packaging
Click on the image to navigate to a page providing further information and examples of individual boxes and sets.
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Great Storm Models
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
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Other Models (Specials)
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
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French Series
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
There are believed to be six models in the French series, but this is as yet unconfirmed.
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Fragrant Homes
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
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Mudlen Originals (US)
Click on the image to navigate to a page dedicated to the particular model.
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Availability Classification Scheme
The table below summarises the classification scheme that is used for availability of each model, although this is based purely on my own experiences rather than being established through any scientific quantitative process! It also reflects availability within the country in which the models were manufactured (so the UK predominantly).
Note that this scheme only includes four grades of availability. The reference guide produced by S. B. Carphlaughey uses a much more detailed system for grading the availability of models.
| Common | An online search of auction sites such as eBay in a given month has a greater than 50% likelihood of finding one or more examples of the model. |
| Uncommon | An online search of auction sites such as eBay in a given month may be unsuccessful, but within a three month period there is a greater than 50% likelihood of finding an example of the model. |
| Hard to Find | There is only a 50% likelihood that an example of the model may be found in an online search of auction sites such as eBay over a period of a year. |
| Scarce | There is only a 50% likelihood that an example of the model may be found in an online search of auction sites such as eBay over a period of two years or more. |
Company History
Mudlen End Studio was first registered in June 1977 and was finally dissolved in Nov 1993. The registered address for the company was "Mudlen End, Felsham, Suffolk". The pottery was owned and run by James Hart who lived at Mudlen End (depicted as Cottage No 18 in the Numbered Series). Mr Hart died in 2003.
While the company was registered in 1977, the Mudlen End catalogue identifies cottage No 1 as "Our first model from 1966", showing that pottery was being made under this name for at least a decade before the company was registered.
It seems that the pottery was originally manufactured at Felsham, presumably at Mudlen End itself, but later production was undertaken at Unit 7, Thurston Granary, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. It isn't clear when the move to Thurston Granary took place, but it is not unreasonable to surmise that the move to Thurston Granary coincided with an increase in production and the need for more space and staff, but this is speculation on my part.
Different marks appear on the underside of the models to identify the painters, so it is clear that a number of people must have been employed to help with the production and finish of the models, but it is not known how many people were employed. James Hart is reported as saying that models that do not carry a painter's mark were in fact painted by him. There are some larger models, produced in limited numbers that are signed by James Hart. An example is the Kings Head, Chigwell.
Models were also made for sale overseas. A series of French models was produced for a French business. Models were also distributed through "Mudlen Originals", although they subsequently made the models themselves locally and produced additional items such as dedicated shelving to support their marketing. If you have any further information, please contact me.
References
One of the best sources for information about the company, its history and the models produced and also a vehicle for making enquiries if you are interested in particular information, is to access the Mudlen End Studio Collectors Forum. This is a blog that has been established by Ben Hart, son of the potter who originally set up the pottery, to celebrate his late father's work. This is a resource that will inevitably increase in value to researchers and collectors over time as more and more content is added.
I make occassional reference in these web pages to the collectors guide to Mudlen End models produced by S. B. Carphlaughey, which adopts a much more detailed system for grading the availability of models than that used on this site and provides valuable information and photos of the variants of each model, as well as providing guidance on price (something I have no intention of doing on this site). If you are interested in Mudlen End models, then this guide is very useful. While I am happy to recommend it, I must make it clear that I have no relationship with either the author or publisher of the work!
Mudlen End Studio Pottery - A Collectors Guide with Price Indications, S. B. Carphlaughey, Published by J. & M. Wholesale (Bedford) Ltd, ISBN No. 1-905075-00-6
The book is available for a modest cost in PDF format and can usually be sourced from either eBay or Amazon.
Notes
I started collecting these cottages and related models virtually by accident. My mother, who still lives in Suffolk where I spent my childhood, had a small group of these cottages that had sat over the fireplace for many years. A few years ago, my son decided that we should try and buy a few more as a birthday present for her. We then discovered of course that they were no longer available.
A search on eBay revealed that some could be acquired via that route. I ended up bidding on a group, which I bought for just a few pounds. Another small group followed. That gave me a few more models to pass on to my mother but left me with some duplicates of models she already had. Since the cottages related to the Suffolk area where I had been brought up but no longer live, I ended up buying one or two more and before I knew it, found myself collecting them. This was very much a side interest initially, as my dominant collecting interest is antique and vintage cameras, as you will quickly discover if you follow the link in the heading bar to the camera collection pages!