A very rare William Reid Jug, Liverpool, circa 1756-58
Of large proportions, the ovoid body of this very rare William Reid jug is finely painted with a large floral spray, including roses and lilies, surrounded by scattered sprigs. The upturned pouring spout is moulded with a stylised mask with prominent half-closed eyes, and the large scrolled handle has a thumbrest and a pronounced ‘kick’ to the lower terminal.
This jug is illustrated in Hillis, Liverpool Porcelain 1756-1804, page 57, plate 3.99 (left).
Provenance: The Crane Collection; an English Private Collection.
Condition: There is restoration to the end of the moulded pouring spout and two short horizontal cracks above where the upper handle attaches to the body. These also show to the inside. No other damage. The painted decoration is in good order. There is some glaze crawl from manufacture, mostly around the base, hence the large green leafy sprig painted by the artist in order to disguise it.
Dimensions: Height (to the top of the pouring spout) 23.5 cm
Liverpool Porcelain 1756-1804, Maurice Hillis (2011).
Liverpool Porcelain of the Eighteenth Century, Bernard M. Watney (Richard Dennis, 1997).