A Black Basalt Creamer, attributed to Leeds, circa 1820
This English black basalt creamer dates from the early part of the 19th century. A band of moulded strawberries and leaves around the centre lies between two bands of gadrooning. Above this is a band of grape and vine leaf decoration. The distinctive kinked handle with moulded stiff leaf decoration was used at the Leeds Pottery (Hartley Greens & Co).
Unmarked.
This shape of creamer would have accompanied the teapot illustrated in Berthoud British Teapots (p.228, pl.1363). In British Creamers, Berthoud illustrates a lustre example with enamel decoration by an unknown maker (p.89, pl.533).
Condition: No damage or restoration, just a minute clay tear to the rim from shrinkage to the clay during its leather-hard stage, prior to firing.
Dimensions: Height 10.6 cm
A Cabinet of British Creamers, Michael Berthoud (Micawber Publications, 1999).
A Directory of British Teapots, Michael Berthoud & Richard Haskell (Micawber Publications, 2006).