Posted 13 years ago
cherrylipp…
(1 item)
This pitcher has a deep red brown lustre...highly reflective...the handle is classically simple with acanthus leaves at the top. It is a simple ovoid shape and might be considered inconsequential in the big world of pottery collecting...except...it is "harnessed" in solid sterling silver chains that could have been used in necklaces...on one side is a beautiful shield with acanthus leaves swirling up the sides...the leaves and shield edges are engraved...no crest. On the other side is a spectacular solid silver monogram " E M V " in beautifully curving engraved flourishes. These two pieces are held firmly in place with silver chains to silver mountings at the top and bottom of the pitcher and sterling twisted wires help again at the top and bottom of the handle and spout...the spout is mounted in silver...
The entire piece reminds me of jugs used at the beginning or end of a hunt to serve refreshments to the riders. This piece at one time was from an estate in West Palm Beach.
I was told by a very knowledgeable buyer and seller of antique and vintage pottery that I " had something special "...
Measures:
6 6/16" across the handle to the tip of the spout...
height: approximately 7 1/4"
largest circumference: 12 1/2"
mouth opening: 2" in diameter
base: 2 1/8" in diameter
monogram: 2 1/8" W x >3" H
shield: 1 1/2" W x 2 7/8"H
This piece belonged to a very wealthy person...a jeweler was involved and the piece is hallmarked at the base STERLING with a number very like a watchmaker's benchmark.
...can ANY ONE tell me anything about pottery jug pitchers like this? Why would someone take an humble ceramic and cover it in sterling silver? Thanks...CLR
Hi! I have a few ideas to toss around.
The glaze is called Rockingham.
It might be a chocolate pot. The spout is very high.
Do you have a lid?
Sterling means American.
What American firms did Rockingham glazed wares around the turn of the last century? Bennington? What others?
I think this piece is special however because of its linking all of the silver pieces together with chains except for the spout. It's like Venus in chains!
But this is not that unusual for English 'Redware' around 1700. If you google "elers brothers redware" you'll see in images an example from 1695.
This is much later. The shape of the lettering gives it away.
If you could photograph the sterling mark it might be helpful to others for identification.
Sometimes silver was used to hide a 'problem', a crack chip or whatever.
Another photo of the base would help.
Is it totally covered in silver or only partially?
Do you have the lid?
The Edwardians were great at 'embellishment'. They were never satisfied with 'enough'. The English have a famous silver mounted tea pot called: Mrs. Wright’s ‘Brown Betty’.
http://www.myfamilysilver.com/blog/index.php/2009/07/mrs-wrights-brown-betty/
@ vetraio50:
Thank you SO much for your insight which I can tell is based on a LOT of knowledge...the comment about the STYLE of the monogram is exact. The bottom of the piece is open...the silver is like the top: a circle mount. Using a penlight there are no cracks chips or hairlines. There is no top. (Darn it!) The word 'sterling' is on a silver mount at the base...thank you again SO MUCH!!!