As it’s now January 2023 we decided to see in the New Year with a bang, so are offering three pots of the month rather than the usual one. Of course what other theme could we possibly choose except Hogmanay (Scots for “New Year”)?
Our first offering is obviously not Goss. This pretty little puzzle jug, measuring just 2½”/6.5cm high, is decorated the words: “For Auld Lang Syne” surrounded by vines and red berries (a depiction of Holly?) on the front, and the Arms of Glasgow on the rear (not shown). It was made by Gemma, and clearly displays their backstamp on the base. This mark was used between 1918 and 1945 by Schmidt & Co (Gemma). This Czechoslovakian porcelain factory was founded by Lazarus and Rosenfeld in 1883. They then sold the business to Franz Schmidt in 1885, but it lost its independence in 1945 when it merged with two other firms.
This second image is unmistakeably Goss. This parian bust of Scottish Poet Robert Burns (aka: Rabbie Burns, Scotlands’ “National Bard”) stands 6″/15cm high. Of course it was Burns who wrote the now world famous poem “Auld Lang Syne”. You probably sang it recently!
To complete our threesome we have this image of a Goss model of Burns Cottage. The real cottage can be found in in Alloway, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is open to visitors, as it is now the Robert Burns Museum. Built by Burns’ father William Burns in 1757, this is where Robert Burns was born, on 25 January 1759.
