Pitcher
Elsmore and Forster
Category
Ceramics
Date
Unknown
Materials
Ceramic.
Measurements
310 mm (width); 225 mm (height); 230 mm (diameter)
Place of origin
Staffordshire
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662302
Summary
A large, white, glazed ceramic jug which is covered with transfer prints of domestic and wild animals and two images of a man in what is possibly a clown's costume. According to a letter from the Victoria and Albert Museum, which accompanies the object, it was made in Staffordshire during the first quarter of the nineteenth century, and the man may be Polito, who had a celebrated menagerie which toured England during this period. There are more images inside the top edge of the jug and along the handle. The images are coloured red, green, pink and yellow, with black outlines. The 'clown' figure is wearing a tight-fitting outfit which includes 'Harlequin'-patterned tights, striped sleeves, flowery shorts and bodice and a head-dress made from tulips. He also has black make-up applied in large triangles.
Marks and inscriptions
On the base, above the royal coat of arms: 'WARRANTED IRONSTONE CHINA' On the base, below the royal coat of arms: 'ELSMORE & FORSTER'
Makers and roles
Elsmore and Forster, maker