Sauce / Gravy Boat

Hi Everyone,

I usually just drop by and read the posts on here (okay, yes....I admit it - I'm a lurker!) but I've got this piece of mystery pottery that has me stumped. I thought that some fresh eyes might see something I've missed. I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have about the age and possible maker of this quirky little sauce boat.



Thanks for taking a look! ☺

 

Welcome to the forums! The transferware scene on this gravy/sauce boat has elements of the "Willow" pattern - a chinoisere pattern: 1st pic - 2 story pavilion with 3 pillars in front of it and a zig-zag diapered paneled fence; 2nd pic - 3 figures crossing a 3 archd bridge, remnants of the 2 story pavilion with pillars on far right. 2 flying swallows turning towards each other above the bridge.

The Willow pattern has been used, duplicated and reproduced in one form or another since the mid to late 1800s. The pattern was developed in England from designs found on imported Chinese ware. With this all said and done, I feel your boat is a relatively recent reproduction because of the sloppiness of transfer. It wasn't laid straight. Now, mine you, this was my opinion at this moment. Others with much more knowledge of judging and dating earthenware will soon chime in. Do listen to their opinions!

--- Susan

 

Thank you Susan - That was great information! I am relatively familiar with willow pattern items having some lovely examples in my ever changing collection of 'stuff' (I was even lucky enough to own two Qianlong Tea Bowls for a while).

I definitely agree that the application of the transfer pattern is sloppy but it was hedging me in the direction of older rather than newer... I might be barking up the wrong tree though... or just barking... who knows.

I should add that the sauce boat looks press moulded not cast (hard to make out on photos) because there are variances in the thickness here and there and the glaze has 'pooled' in places too. The pottery itself is very light. It actually reminds me of a Sunderland Lustreware Jug I used to have which was early 1800's.

I probably should have added the extra info at the start, shouldn't I? Sorry, I'm such a noob! D'oh! Lol

Thanks again, Susan.

 

I don't think you have anything to be sorry about.
If you have been collecting Willow then you are well aware that it was made in many countries. England, US, Japan.

Looking at the transfer, no markings on the bottom, and the way the feet were made


My first inclination is US, early 1900s. But that is only a guess and I could very well be wrong.

There is a book on Blue Willow, publisher was Collector Books. Maybe your library can get a copy. You might be able to determine the maker by the pottery blank.

BTW, welcome to the board.

 

Thanks, I'll do some research and see if I can turn up anything similar in Early 20th Century American pottery. I hadn't even thought of it possibly being an American manufacturer! I've been looking at English makers mainly. And thank you for the book recommendation too!