An Ironstone China Jug, British, circa 1830s
Dating from the 1830s, this decorative jug or creamer is based on the Mason’s ‘Fenton’ shape, having eight facets, a pronounced opening, and an ornate handle. It is printed and hand painted with a design of flowers and peacock feathers between blue bands. The handle takes the form of a reptilian-type creature, perhaps even a dragon!
Impressed to the base with the mark IRONSTONE CHINA.
The shape of the jug and the impressed mark are all clearly influenced by (or indeed copied from!) the Mason’s firm. This is no surprise as copyright restrictions were not stringent at the time. A few British potters, all contemporary competitors of Mason, are in the frame as possible makers. They include Twigg in Yorkshire, Boyle in Staffordshire, and Dillwyn in Swansea.
Dimensions: Height 12.5 cm.
Condition: No cracks or restoration. Part of the creature’s left leg (linking the clawed foot with the handle) was lost when the clay was in its ‘leather-hard’ state prior to the first biscuit firing. This was subsequently glazed, and the jug fully decorated. There is a firing crack inside the base, also glazed and dating from manufacture. There is a tiny clay tear to the edge of the base, and kiln speckling from firing. There is evidence on the base of the removal of kiln furniture post-firing (the three spur or stilt marks which raised the jug in the kiln and prevented the glazed base from fusing with the saggar). A few small age-related nicks here and there, including to the handle, and tiny losses to parts of the glaze. The glaze has some fine crazing, typical of the period.
A Cabinet of British Creamers, Michael Berthoud (Micawber Publications, 1999).
Price: £38.