Pottery holy water font, any thoughts on maker, worth?

If you call me, I shall come.

Not Minton, imo, the clay colour is all wrong and I don't think it's "fine" enough. Minton would have a nice glazed back, too. My first thought was Italian.

I wonder if he's Joseph of Arimathea, with the flowering thorn.

 

Hi Bear, is that what you go by?

My brain is fried on the forum most of the day having such fun. And my finger.....will get back to my font tomorrow. Really appreciate you coming in so late......cheers till tomorrow, carol

 

Finger pressed wrong mood, think I am a forumaholic......

 

https://soulpainter.com/2015/03/symbols-of-saint-joseph-in-sacred-art/#.XTkLGHt7mM8

 

Thank you, Carolgal. That's just it, Ireland is full of them. I imagine the same views can be found on picture postcards. An eBay search for 'bog oak brooch' turns up a handful of the same type, different edifices.

 

Yep, a lily, not a staff or a tree like on Carol's font.
It is easier to see on this painting:

 

Thank you OBB, Bronwyn and A.J so much, I have loads of info to be going on with now, much appreciated, Bronwyn your photos WOW!! Heres one for you............

If you guys are ever in Ireland see Kylemore abbey...Galway, near me


I will let you know the end result!!

 

Not Minton. Not sure it’s Italian, because of the muted colour palette, but... in any event, I don’t think it’s antique and could be much more recent than we might think as similar are being produced up to present day. I vote for St. Christopher.

 

I was thinking studio potter, maybe '50s. Too rough on the back and the colours for Italian are subtler....may be a small potter or one off piece. The colours are very mintonesque though. Have I just created a word? Thank you Kent

 

Carol, is that a name of some sort (Nat?...) on the back?

 

It sure is but cannot decipher it. Nat is a start, God bless your eyes!

Must google ways to get these clearer. I was thinking of getting powdered black chalk and brushing away surface, see what is left. Have several pieces needing it.

Thanks SB

 

Maybe try cocoa, if you have it.

 

seriously great idea AJ , I have some!!

 

Humorous coda. Just saw this. Love that Joseph has a hat like an Italian peasant:

 

Very Catholic, saints etc represented in local dress bring the church closer to the people. My mother used to collect Nativity sets from around the world, all in different costumes.

 

Yes, a bit like Trump's baseball cap, Although the bishops, cardinals and pope don't seem to go along with that