Cream Pitcher
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mary Gorton Keeney
MakerProbably made by
Staffordshire potteries
(English, 17th century-present)
Dateabout 1820
MediumMold-formed buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze and underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 4 x 5 5/8 x 2 5/8in. (10.2 x 14.3 x 6.7cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Margaret F. Bunyan
Object number1978.16.3
DescriptionRectangular cream pitcher of buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. The cream pitcher is part of a partial tea service consisting of a teapot (.1a,b), lidded sugar bowl (.2a,b), cream pitcher (.3), two tea bowls (.4 and .5), and two saucers (.6 and .7). All of the pieces in the set have the same transfer-printed underglaze cobalt blue pattern and border. The pattern shows a boy sitting beneath a tree to the right. He is playing a wind instrument, probably a flute, and looking out over a small lake in the foreground. Behind the lake is a small hill with at least one grazing sheep, and possibly two. A house with a tower sits on a tree-topped hill in the distance. The pattern is surrounded by foliage and a scalloped line on top, and a line of leaves on the bottom. The border, found on all the pieces in the set, has circles and squares superimposed on a blue field. The geometric shapes are filled with flowers and smaller geometric patterns. Abstract flowers, fruit, and leaves are located throughout the blue field.
The cream pitcher sits on a rectangular foot. It has swelled sides that narrow slightly at the neck, and then flare at the rim to form a spout. The molded handle is applied opposite the spout. The pattern is printed on both of the long sides of the cream pitcher, and the border is found on the inside and outside edges of the rim. An additional border of white flowers on a blue field decorates the handle. There are two mold lines on the cream pitcher, one at the spout and one beneath the handle.
The cream pitcher sits on a rectangular foot. It has swelled sides that narrow slightly at the neck, and then flare at the rim to form a spout. The molded handle is applied opposite the spout. The pattern is printed on both of the long sides of the cream pitcher, and the border is found on the inside and outside edges of the rim. An additional border of white flowers on a blue field decorates the handle. There are two mold lines on the cream pitcher, one at the spout and one beneath the handle.
Status
Not on view
