Glasgow pottery found in shipwreck goes on display

Glasgow Times

07-06-2025

Names like Deltfield in Anderston, The Caledonian Pottery and Bell's Pottery were just some of the companies producing stoneware, earthenware and bone china using locally sourced clays.
Their products travelled the globe but have almost been forgotten since the kilns closed down and the buildings were demolished.
Pottery class, Glasgow, 1952 (Image: Newsquest)
A little piece of Glasgow history is returning, however, as a collection of rare 19th century ceramics recovered from a shipwreck go on display for the first time.
The Beneath the Waves exhibition, which goes on show in the Scottish Maritime Museum's Linthouse building on Irvine Harbourside from today (June 7) will include the pottery salvaged from the wreck of the 1857 iron steamship SS Eagle off Lamlash Bay in Arran las year.
The exhibition brings together the historic ceramic collection, award-winning underwater photography and an artist's detailed marine sketches to celebrate the extraordinary world beneath the ocean's surface.
A washing bowl made by Bell's Pottery, retrieved from the SS Eagle (Image: Beneath the Waves)
The SS Eagle ceramics, which were discovered by Oban-based diver and maritime explorer Graeme Bruce and team in July 2024, were made by Glasgow's Bell's Pottery.
Established by brothers John and Matthew Perston Bell in late 1840 or 1841, it is recognised as arguably the most internationally significant producer of ceramic wares in Scotland at the time.
It sat at the corner of Stafford Street and Pulteney Street, close to the Forth and Clyde Canal which was used to transport goods and raw materials.
Graeme Bruce (Image: Beneath the Waves)
According to the Scottish Pottery Society, Bell's Pottery export wares have been found as far afield as South America, the Far East, Australia and Canada. The last piece of Bell's Pottery was probably made around 1912.
The SS Eagle collection features ceramics destined for trade and exhibition in Londonderry, Northern Island, and artefacts from the ship's galley.
A piece of Bell's Pottery ceramic ware (Image: Beneath the Waves)
Exhibits include seven plates and a bowl, a teapot lid and two bottles which still hold 'sparkling water' in addition to a decanter and bell.
Beneath the Waves also features cups and plates from the Scottish Maritime Museum's own national maritime heritage collection as well as four vessels dating back to the Roman Empire on loan from North Ayrshire Heritage Centre.
Eva Bukowska, exhibitions and events officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: 'We are really excited to host the first showing of these fascinating ceramics recovered from SS Eagle.
"The vessel also has a significance for the Museum as it was built by Alexander Denny, who was the brother of William Denny, whose test tank is now home to our second collection in Dumbarton.'
The SS Eagle was acquired by the McConnel and Laird Line of Glasgow in June 1859 for service as a passenger and cargo vessel.
Just five months later, on November 28, 1859, it sank after colliding with a sailing boat, the Pladda, while en route from Glasgow to Londonderry. Eleven lives were lost.
Graeme Bruce added: 'Diving has been my great passion for 35 years.
'For me, a shipwreck is a 'time capsule' hidden from view over time by the sea. The privilege of being able to explore and connect with the past is beyond description.
'Enabling the artefacts from shipwrecks like this Bell's Pottery collection to then have a new life on show for everyone to learn from and appreciate is so important.'
Beneath the Waves has been curated in collaboration with renowned underwater photographer, marine conservationist and writer Lawson Wood; diver, maritime explorer and retired engineer Graeme Bruce; and Ayrshire underwater artist and writer Christina Riley.
It runs until September 13.