Till produced a great deal of handpainted ware, most of it un-named. However, the pieces do tend to be well marked with clear backstamps. This pair of vases is typical of many Till handpainted items such as tea sets, vanity dressing table sets, vases, jugs, wash bowl sets, etc. Some of the pink rose pattern with black background pieces were commissioned for Louis Turner & Co Ltd, 9 Waterloo Street, Newcastle-on-Tyne. 'Pekin' Imari ware was also commissioned for the same company.





















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The most desirable pieces are those that at handpainted freehand, especially those signed F.E.Bourne (we believe this to be Frances Elizabeth Bourne, a member of Thomas Till's extended family members who was living in his household at one point. She is described as a pottery painter in census records.

Handpainted Till wares consist of ornamental items, tea sets, dressing tables sets and washing/bedroom sets. Some handpainted pottery is completed on a basic transfer and not completely freehand, however. An example of this is the roses, leaves and gilt piping on a black background. Like the completely freehand "flower" designs it is very collectable and we have seen the value of these designs steadily increase in value.
There is also the very popular and collectable art nouveau designs in very vibrant colour ways but it should be noted that most of these items have a transfer designs of flower motifs, check designs, etc, over the hand painted section before the items are glazed.

However, much of Till wares that appear handpainted are actually colourful transferwares with some painted additions. Frequent daubings of cobalt blue and extensive gilding are a clue that these items are not technically handpainted but rather more accurately described as "hand finished". Some designs are still very collectable but as always excellent condition is the main attribute of any item. A scruffy and faded handpainted piece has  little value but an excellent condition hand finished item in a desirable and collectable pattern is probably a better investment. The rule of thumb with Thomas Till is the more pretty or fussy the design the more collectable it appears to be. There are few exceptions to this. The simple lines of simples patterns such as "Ina" or the Tillson (NOT Gillson or Cillson - a mistake often made if inidviduals are not familiar with the Tillson backstamp) is generally not as collectable. However there are exceptions to this and they will be described individually.