19th Century Ceramic Jug with Bird of Paradise Motif c.1880

This is a charming example of a well-loved ceramic jug with a colourful bird motif, probably dating to the latter part of the 19th century.

The jug is of classic form, with a broad body that widens out towards the base. This then sits on a discoid foot that has a gold stripe around the edge. The applied handle is plain and bears the remains of the gilding along the edges and a stripe down the centre. The rim also has traces of the original gilding.

The body is transfer printed with two large tropical bird motifs, one on each side. There are small sprigs of foliage with smaller birds interspersed between the main designs.

The base is plain and hand-gilded with the number ‘278’.

It has a height of approximately 18.9cm, with a diameter across the rim of 9.0cm and across the base of 9.8cm.

It has an unwrapped weight of 680g.

It is in fair condition, with no chips or cracks, although there is some loss to the glaze at the rim and along the edges of the handles where it has been well-used over the years. This has meant that the gilding is worn and that some marks under the glaze have occurred. This is visible in the pictures. There is also some crazing to the glaze commensurate with age. This wear adds to the rustic feel of this piece and it displays very well.