29/09/2026
On display in our Favourite Things exhibition is this red earthenware dish, decorated with yellow, brown and orange slips, signature on the rim ‘THOMAS TOFT’. In the manner of a late 17th/early 18th century slipware dish it is a twentieth century fake.
It was chosen by Laura Clarke, Archives Public Service Manager, Stoke-on-Trent Archives.
“I had an enquiry from a member of the public a couple of years ago asking about family history and his surname is Toft. There is precious little about Thomas Toft’s life, but, from the Parish Registers, we know he married Ellena Burchall on 12th Apr 1663 and was buried in 1689 at St. Peter ad Vincula (more commonly known as Stoke Minster). Thomas c.1620-1689 is the most well-known of the family of potters. His brother Ralph, several of his children, grandchildren and so on continued in the family trade. I didn't know any of this until I completed the research for the enquiry and it really shows how our different areas of expertise intertwine.”
Please note that access to the museum will be via the café entrance by the Spitfire Gallery.
