Hugh Smith, the second proprietor of the Wilkes Street Pottery, was not himself a potter. Smith, in partnership with his son Hugh Charles, owned a retail shop on King Street between Water (Lee) and Fairfax Streets. His shop opened in 1803, selling China, Glass and Earthenware. When Smith made a substantial investment in the Pottery in 1823, his shop was advertising "Stone Ware made by John Swann." In 1825 he acquired the establishment, and stoneware marked H. Smith & Co. was manufactured there at least until 1831, when Benedict C. Milburn took over operations under Smith’s ownership. Later wares are stamped H.C. Smith after Hugh Charles took over management of the Pottery. Under Hugh Smith & Co. the Pottery produced highly decorated stoneware with blue undulating vines and single flowers.
Pottery made during the Smith period is exuberantly decorated with vines and flowers.
The cake pot is decorated with the special "Alexandria Motif."
The central circular flower with curving branches on either side is
typical of the Wilkes Street Pottery, especially during the period 1825-41.
