Object Description
This is a Large hand-painted Mason’s ironstone jug or pitcher, in the very rare Butterflies & Flowers gilded pattern, from their earliest George 3rd period, circa 1815.
The jug is well potted in their octagonal “hydra” shape, with a snake loop handle. This is a heavy piece indicative of the earlier jugs with a greater iron content.
This pitcher is very well painted in the Chinoiserie pattern called ” Butterflies and Flowers”, the pattern being hand enamelled, over-glaze in many colors of burnt orange, yellow, brown, blue, green, and pink all against a blck ground which is most unusual and very distinctive. The handle, both rims and some flower highlights are also hand gilded, adding to the overall decorative effect.
This is a very fine piece of Mason’s Ironstone and probably the most distinctive hydra jug that we have ever had!
The piece is fully marked to the base with their very early impressed mark of “Patent ironstone China” in a circle, which dates this piece to circa 1813 to 1820, probably the first half of this 7 year range.