Soup Tureen and Ladle
MakerPossibly made by
Staffordshire potteries
(English, 17th century-present)
Dateabout 1815
MediumMold-formed buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze and underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsComponent (height including lid x width x depth of tureen): 8 1/2 x 13 3/4 x 7 1/2in. (21.6 x 34.9 x 19.1cm)
Component (length x diameter of ladle): 12 1/2 x 4 5/16in. (31.8 x 11cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Grace Clarkson Wilcox
Object number1935.2.21a-c
DescriptionRectangular soup tureen with lid and ladle of buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. All three parts of the set are decorated with the same transfer-printed, underglaze cobalt blue pattern and border. The pattern shows a man seated on a horse. He is wearing a straw hat with a low profile and has long hair in a braid. The side and back of the horse and rider are pointed to the viewer, as the rider and horse look at the landscape of a body of water, mountains, houses, and trees in the distance. The horse and rider stand on a piece of land surrounded by a fence. To the right is a low Chinese structure, where four people sit and stand. To the left, in the middle distance, a Chinese structure sits on an island. Both structures are surrounded by abundant foliage. The border consists of a background of diamonds creating a lattice-work pattern. Superimposed on the diamonds are various large white flowers. Most of these transfer-printed designs are crisp and detailed. Their designs reflect the Chinese influence on English decorative arts.
Tureen (.a): The pattern is found printed on both long sides of the tureen, as well as the inside bottom surface. The border is located at the inside of the rim. The tureen also has two molded and applied handles in the shape of lion's heads. The handles are painted with solid underglaze cobalt blue, and they cover the mold lines at either end of the tureen.
Lid (.b): The lid has the above-described border at the rim surrounding the same pattern as described above. At one end of the lid, a semi-circular indentation in the rim leaves space for the handle of a soup ladle. A finial in the shape of a seated lion has been molded and applied to the middle of the lid.
Ladle (.c): The ladle consists of a long, curved handle that has been applied to a circular bowl. The bowl is decorated with the same pattern and surrounded by the same border as described above. The border has been applied to the top surface of the handle.
The tureen (.a) has a crack in the rim that extends almost halfway down the side of the tureen. There is an additional crack running near the foot, visible on the inside of the tureen. The lid (.b) has three chips in the underside of the rim and some wear to the finial. The finial also has a greenish tint, perhaps the result of dirt accumulation. The ladle (.c) has no chips or cracks, but does have an unknown brown substance adhered to an area on the inside of the rim. All of the surfaces of the set have crazing, and most have yellowed somewhat with age.
Tureen (.a): The pattern is found printed on both long sides of the tureen, as well as the inside bottom surface. The border is located at the inside of the rim. The tureen also has two molded and applied handles in the shape of lion's heads. The handles are painted with solid underglaze cobalt blue, and they cover the mold lines at either end of the tureen.
Lid (.b): The lid has the above-described border at the rim surrounding the same pattern as described above. At one end of the lid, a semi-circular indentation in the rim leaves space for the handle of a soup ladle. A finial in the shape of a seated lion has been molded and applied to the middle of the lid.
Ladle (.c): The ladle consists of a long, curved handle that has been applied to a circular bowl. The bowl is decorated with the same pattern and surrounded by the same border as described above. The border has been applied to the top surface of the handle.
The tureen (.a) has a crack in the rim that extends almost halfway down the side of the tureen. There is an additional crack running near the foot, visible on the inside of the tureen. The lid (.b) has three chips in the underside of the rim and some wear to the finial. The finial also has a greenish tint, perhaps the result of dirt accumulation. The ladle (.c) has no chips or cracks, but does have an unknown brown substance adhered to an area on the inside of the rim. All of the surfaces of the set have crazing, and most have yellowed somewhat with age.
Status
Not on view
