Pitcher, Cream

Object Name:

Pitcher, Cream

Object ID:

1980.047.10

Place of Origin:

England

Date:

circa 1785

Description:

Cream pitcher. Creamware, earthenware, with black and blue sponge decoration. Figure of a standing cow being milked by a young girl. Stepped octagonal base. Stand is recessed underneath, and except for bottom of rim, is glazed almost completely. Inside of cow is unglazed; exterior is decorated thoroughly with black spatter and four large ochre areas, each brushed on at the tops of the legs. Tail sweeps over back; end of tail touches cow's right side, near center of back. In center of back is a 0.833"-diameter hole (to receive liquid). Cow's mouth is open, and has a hole (to dispense liquid); lips are painted orange, eyes crudely incised and painted black. Crescent-shaped horns, painted black, drape above each eye and partially cover extended ears.
Details of girls clothing are incised; right arm missing from elbow, broken off prior to firing. Eyes, hair, and part of dress painted black. Milking pale under udder. Girl's back is decorated with spongework in the same manner as the cow. Simple black band sweeps base of her skirt. At her back, meeting the base, is a tiny square opening within a molded frame, representing a stool. At her knees is a plain cylinder with two horizontal incised lines, representing a bucket.
Molding around edge of stand spatter decorated in blue. Glaze has a greenish tinge, especially where it collects under base and at belly of cow. Much crazing. No maker's mark. Labels on bottom: "M200", which is donor's catalog number, and "#2218 / Pratt Ware / Cow Creamer / C.1785 / $125.00". The price is crossed out with blue ball-point ink and inserted by it, "1(?)5", partially torn away. May be $15.00 or $105.00. Donor's mark, "M200", written in blue ball-point ink on separated tag, pasted over dealer's tag.

Material:

Ceramic
Earthenware - Cream ware

Dimensions:

H-5.5 W-7.375 D-2.875 inches

Provenance:

Part of a large collection of 18th- & 19th-century ceramics, given by their collector, Alma (Mrs. Harold G.) Duckworth (1899-2003).

Credit Line:

Gift of Alma Duckworth

People:

Duckworth, Alma (1899-2003)

Subjects:

Cow milking, Girls