Wedgwood (Josiah) pottery, porcelain and ceramics are of course extremely well known. This is a company that has been "around" for a very long time, since 1759 when Josiah was just 29 years old.
My wife has taken to collecting very early English porcelain and chinawares, pre-1900's, but decided that this small jug wasn't quite what she was looking for, her interest being more in the vases and figurines line.
This piece is Wedgwood, but a couple of little details "niggle" at me about this jug ...
The backstamp is stamped, not impressed and although the backstamp layout ticks all the boxes for the period 1891 ~ 1910, I could not find out the meaning of the 3 stars just underneath the urn nor the single star underneath WEDGWOOD
I was expecting some sort of date coding as well but there is just a hand applied code to the right of the main backstamp but for the life of me I could not see that as being a dating code (it does not seem to agree with any of the codes Wedgwood used during this period) - it is more like a pattern code.
Then there is the quality of the decoration, Wedgwood had (and still does have) a reputation for high quality wares but I noticed the decorations on the sides were not always consistent. The paint has not been damaged, it was just never there! It is as though the decorator was having a bad day but then I wouldn't have thought it would be allowed to leave the works ... or perhaps it left as a "second" - we will never know.
Please inspect the photographs I have taken of the backstamp and the side decorations to get a good idea of what I am talking about.
WEDGWOOD (Josiah) - Small Jug
Circa 1891 ~ 1910
White highly translucent bone china
I checked on the bone china aspect and am positive this is bone china and not porcelain. When held up to a bright light, it is highly translucent and has a sort of milky White appearance. The weight is also noticeably light, it reminded me of the fabulous Belleek chinawares from Ireland - almost egg shell like.
Shape: Horizontal fluted sides, oval shaped jug
Design: Unknown (not indicated on the backstamp)
Hand decorated - I have examined this jug very closely and there is no doubt this has been hand painted, it is quite easy to see the "human touch" when viewed under a magnifying glass.
Hand Gold gilded
I am not sure how to describe the design! Absolutely not flowers! I can only describe the decoration as being of abstract artwork but of what? No discernable features other than the wreath-like leaves ... I have included a couple of photographs which may help with this.
Gold gilding has been applied around the top rim and across the top/down the back of the handle.
DIMENSIONS:
55mm height x 90mm length (spout to the handle) x 57mm wide (at the centre)
Yes, it is small but not so small as to be considered a "doll set" jug
I have just used it to make myself a cuppa, this jug comfortably fits 75mL of cream or milk.
Weight: 75g
BACKSTAMP:
Here is a photograph of the backstamp underneath. The main backstamp is a light Brown or Tan colouring and the hand written coding to the right is an Orange
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
NO cracks
NO crazing at all! I am stunned but after wet & dry testing I cannot see any signs of crazing
NO discolouration to the artwork nor the base White china
NO wear apparent wear to any of the Gold gilding, even the handle area
NO fleabites on the underside
Yes, this old girl is not perfect (as anyone would be after 120 years!)
She has a small ALMOST unnoticed chip to the underside of the spout. The flaw is barely visible from the topside but a rubbing with the finger confirms it is there!
NO discolouration due to bacteria getting underneath the glaze, remaining bright White.
What a nice piece of "early" Wedgwood and it doesn't cost a small fortune! unlike some of the other older pieces my wife has taken an interest in.
