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Cream Pitcher
Cream Pitcher

Cream Pitcher

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
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.
Object number1978.16.3
Subject Terms
    On View
    Not on view
    Lidded Sugar Bowl
    Mary Gorton Keeney
    about 1820
    Teapot
    Staffordshire potteries
    about 1820
    1978.16.4
    Mary Gorton Keeney
    about 1820
    1978.16.6
    Mary Gorton Keeney
    about 1820
    Cream Pitcher
    Enoch Wood & Sons
    about 1820-1840
    Cream Pitcher
    Andrew Stevenson
    1816-1830
    Cream Pitcher
    Frances Caroline Adams
    1855-1875
    Slop Bowl
    Frances Caroline Adams
    1855-1875
    Washbowl with pitcher
    Abby Hadassah Smith
    about 1830-1840
    Lidded Sugar Bowl
    Frances Caroline Adams
    1855-1875
    Teapot
    Frances Caroline Adams
    1855-1875
    1986.86.1a
    Chase family
    1810-1830