Featured Grey Pattern Pitcher - Knowles, Taylor, Knowles

I recently found this KT&K pitcher. And I'm hoping for some more information.

Also says East Liverpool, Ohio U.S.A.

I know it was late 1800s-early 1900s but I'd love to know more about it and it's value.

I love the piece either way. I hope I can find the basin bowl to go with it (if there is one). I picked it up for $12.99 at Goodwill.

I recently looked at 2,000+ pitcher and basin sets and couldn't find anything similar.

Thanks so much!

 

Looks like a Wild Rose.
Pattern number is probably 4144.

Not a pitcher with a bowl. Too small. Judging from your hand in the picture, I'm guessing the pitcher is about 8 inches tall. So most likely a milk pitcher.

A wash basin pitcher will be much larger, about 12 inches

 

Am I right in thinking that with that amount of gloss on it, it's not that old????? Even though it's very pretty!!

 

Aqui, I just read that the company went out of business in 1931, so I guess it's not too new, either!

 

Yeah, they went out of business in the 30s so I know it's before then. Not sure when though. I'm wondering if there's a way to find out.

 

Company went out of business in the 30s so someone must have kept it in great condition or they refinished it very nicely.

 

Yes, about 8 inches. I was coming to the same conclusion that it may not be a basin and pitcher.

I haven't seen much in grey. Most pitchers (milk, water, etc) I've seen with designs are either pink or blue and sometimes yellow, green, etc but haven't found any others grey.

Is it rare? Is it sought after? Is there a way could have been made grey? Or Maybe blue that faded over the years if that's possible?

 

Well, THAT'S good to know!!!!!

 

Hi @BrokerKate, would you mind taking a CLEAR picture of those marks on the bottom of your pitcher?? The only thing I can read clearly (other than the 4144) is U.S.A.....might prove helpful!!!! Thanks!!!

 

FROM REPLACEMENTS.COM:
"One of the oldest names on American pottery, Knowles, Taylor, Knowles operated in East Liverpool, Ohio, beginning in the mid-1800's, and remained in operation in East Liverpool until 1931.

Issac Knowles and Issac Harvey started a factory in East Liverpool, Ohio in 1854, after operating a store boat on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, which sold pottery, glass, and other staples. Their initial factory made yellow ware in a single kiln. Knowles bought out Harvey a couple of years later and operated the factory by himself from 1856 until 1870. In that year John W. Taylor (Isaac´s son-in-law) and Homer Knowles (one of Isaac´s sons) joined him to form Knowles, Taylor, Knowles. The company became quite large, employing 700 people by 1901. In 1929, KTK was one of eight companies which joined to form the ill-fated American Chinaware Corporation. With the failure of the American Chinaware Corporation, KTK vanished from the American pottery scene. During their 75 years of operation, KTK brought out not only a wealth of tableware, but the priceless Lotus ware as well." (Some of which is gorgeous!!)

 

Unfortunately that's how clear it gets. It's super blurry in person. I finally worked out that it says on the curve left to right "Knowles, Taylor, Knowles" and then at the bottom it says "East Liverpool, Ohio U.S.A." I really can't read the inside circle.

And a photo doesn't make it any better. I'm trying to find the stamp on another piece so I can match it.

 

I read this too. I don't think it's Lotus Ware since the stamps I was seeing was different than this one but besides that I can't really narrow down a time frame yet. I'll be doing more research in the next few days.

 

Lehner's says this mark was used 1890-1907. Inside says Semi Vitreous Porcelain. The top that looks like a crown is actually KTK, with the second K backwards.

 

You can find wash sets with many pieces, including small pitchers; I'm just not sure their purpose.

 

1890-1907 seems about right. The color is original. It's rather pretty but semi vitreous American porcelain is not much in vogue at the moment. While any particular pitcher in a particular color might be hard to find, pitchers themselves from this period are not rare. Since you love the piece $12.99 was a good price. It would be difficult to resell it right now for much profit. It's hard to say what may happen in the future though. These pieces are well made and do have an aesthetic appeal. Decorating tastes can change at any time.
Don

 

I don't either....the Lotus Ware looks very different from what I was able to see online!!!

 

it's very lovely and has a quiet elegance .....I'm sure with all the info you have now , it's value has been upgraded..

 

Thank you! This is super helpful. I've been too busy to date this item from the logo since logos changed so often.

 

Thank you!