Naturecraft Ltd

 

 

 

 

Naturecraft Company

The Naturecraft Company started trading in 1931 and is based in Congleton, Cheshire, England

Naturecraft Ltd, Albion Works, Havannah Street, Congleton CW12 2AQ Tel - 0161 6881226 / 01260 272727.

Naturecraft's managing director was Peter Tomlins. Naturecraft is one of Congleton's longest-established firms.

 

he Naturecraft Company has been sold and is no longer in production. The new owners are continuing some lines but have discontinued many items. All products are now made in China. The 'Best of Breed' sculptures were the most recently produced models and are advertised for sale at http://www.bestofbreed.co.uk/ 

In February 2005 Naturecraft and Best of Breed were welcomed into the Widdop Bingham stable alongside its Juliana, Wm Widdop and WBL brands. Established in 1883 by William Widdop, Widdop Bingham & Co Ltd is a fifth generation family company, run today by three brothers (Tel - 0845 456 7020).

 

The History of Naturecraft (Click Here)

 

Naturecraft Brochures (Click Here)

 

Naturecraft Photo List (Click Here)

 

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Naturecraft : 'Best of Breed' Sculpture. The 'Best of Breed' by Naturecraft is a range of Dogs, Cats, Cattle, Horses, Donkeys and Dinosaurs.

Naturecraft Pembroke Welsh Corgi Sculpture

Cats

Dogs - Standard

Dogs - Large

Horses

Cattle

Donkeys

Dinosaurs

 

Identifying 'Naturecraft Products'

Naturecraft use phrases like - "Indian Chief Naturecraft Congleton England Copyright"  "CDISP"  "Naturecraft England"

THANKS FOR BUYING BRITISH, IMPRESSED REF NO 818 REG C 1970, FEATHERED FRIENDS, NATURECRAFT, CONGLETON, HAND PAINTED STONECRAFT

 

Variations between Cotton picker, Bahamian Pals, and Marylou

 

A very rare 'Flying Scotsman' plaque (more details below)

Thanks to Scott C in NJ and Anthony Ball for the numerous photographs on this page

NATURECRAFT WALL MASKS
Abdul

Note - Model has brown back

Abdhul
Aborigine Ahmid

With markings 'Stoneware by Naturecraft'. Note the different colour schemes.

Algerian Nomad Ali
Amigo Angus
Bahamian Pals

A variation of 'Cotton Picker'.

Printed on the back is - BAHAMIAN PALS, NATURECRAFT, CONGLETON, ENGLAND
Calibim
Bobby

Comprises of a set of 6 pieces

The full set of 6no pieces

 
Barrow Boy  
Captain Cook (Rare)

Possible companion to Naturecraft Aborigine

 
Chen

With brown and silver backs

Clayton Brodie

The very rare Clayton Brodie. Dated 1988

This piece is rarely seen.

 
   
Coxswain

On his front slicker is the wording Plymouth with the back in brown and the words Coxswain engraved into the back. This model was made in 1988.

This piece is rarely seen.

 

Cotton Picker

Version #2 Mary Lou

Cavalier

Forty Niner

(Photograph supplied by Anthony Ball)

Dandy

4 1/2 x 3 inches wide. Dated 27.01.69. The swing tag reads "Handmade by craftsman in Congleton England"

Toff, Yokel & The Judge are of a similar design and all made around 1970..

Huntsman
Fruit Seller    
Grenadier Guard

Dimensions are 7 3/8" high x 4 1/4". He is marked 'Grenadier Guard Naturecraft Ltd  Reg  c 1988  Made in England'. Being a later model his back is dark brown with the etching inscribed 'Grenadier Guard' and the Naturecraft mould markings above his name.

Hassan

Indian Chieftian

 

The marking on the back of Indian Chieftian - "Indian Chief Naturecraft Congleton England Copyright"  "CDISP"  "Naturecraft England"

Indian Chieftian (cont)

The story behind this piece is that the Canadian Railroad presented the Indian Chieftian to every one that purchased a transcontinental ticket.

 

Judge

Dated1970

Marylou
Mac Tavish

Mexican Bandit

Ming Yin

Right hand model is an alternative version

Ming Yin

Mountain Ranger

The back reads - 'Canadian Ranger by Naturecraft', dated 1988. Note that the back is painted brown similar to the 'Rene' model. It would appear that the brown backs only appeared on later models.

This piece is rarely seen.

Mustafa

Shamus

The back reads - "Shamus " Stoneware by Naturecraft.

Rene (The Onion Seller)

Dated 1988. The back is painted dark brown with his name engraved. There are only a few pieces with brown backs which is peculiar only to Naturecraft

This piece is rarely seen.

Running Bear
Sikh

"Sikh" Congleton, England

Skipper

The back reads - Stoneware by Naturecraft "Skipper"

Simple Simon Tibetan
Titon Jones Tug Boat Captain

Rare

Toff
The back reads 'TOFF
NATURECRAFT
CONGLETON
ENGLAND 1970'
Yokel Youssef
Suggestions welcome if you know the name of this model. The back reads Stoneware Naturecraft    
SHELF ORNAMENT FIGURES
Experiment Hopeful

Dated 1979

Brewers Old Timer

(A stitch in time) height 6 .5 inches 

Late Homer Bunkered
Old Pals

The Potter

 

8.75 inches tall.

THE POTTER (copyright 1974)

Signed model - Alfred (?) Vogt (?) Floor Manager August 1981, Marion. Ingrid Aug 81, Sheila Aug 81.

 

Little Mother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

Limited Edition - Issued for Queen Mother 80th Birthday (4th August 1980)

WALL HUNG PIECES
Mexican Water Boy Tinkers Two?
Summit

Happy Joe

Measures 10 inches high by 5 inches wide. He is marked Naturecraft Congleton England Happy Joe on the backside. No date on mode

 

Blackjack Ol Jem
WALL HUNG HOUSES
Crown Tavern

Ref No 630. Measures 11 x 8 inches and 3 inches deep.

Regency Row
Dandelion Dell Flying Scotsman

"Flying Scotsman", produced in 1982

Developed when Peter Tomlin was running the company.  Very rare and may have been a 'tester' to see if it was worthwhile producing a range of steam engines. Only one know example in the US

Medieval Market Scene

Example of Medieval Market Scene approx 18x9 inches, made in limited numbers

 

 

 

 

ANIMALS (Shelf & Wall Hung)
Mischief

Shelf Ornament

Monkey Puzzle

Wall Hung