From the "Swan" factory but what is it ?

I was asked to identify this object but I and a few others I have asked are puzzled. The inside of the bowl shape is unglazed. The bottom is glazed with a series of small holes around the edge. Over to the wise ones

 

How big is it?

 

Do the little holes go all the way through?

 

The item is 28 cm long, 19 cm wide,13 cm high and weighs 2.9 kg.
The little holes are various depths up to 4 cm measured with a needle. None of the holes go through to the bowl from the base.

 

Strange. Can you explain more about "the Swan factory?" Where was it? What else did they make? How do you know this was from there?

 

When it was handed to me " it's from the Swan factory ". I think on reflection we should ignore that remark. There are some very faint marks. " S " on its own and what appears to be a swan like shape possibly with the number 4 as its wing. There is a word six letters ? ending TON. I'm so glad you find it strange as I am baffled by it. As it's 1:45 am I'm off to dream about it.

 

bassinette...?

 

It looks utilitarian or industrial to me. Rather than Minton, I surmise it might be Doulton. They made a great many Useful Things and the white pottery looks right for them. I don't think it's fancy enough for a planter.

 

Sorry but try as I may photographs don't bring up the marks even with a bit of carbon rubbed on them. The photo above with the holes is the base. "She who must be obeyed" says the letters are Minton with the letters T and S in a square below. A swan shape with the number 4 as the wing. I'm not going to argue with her.

 

Does the swan look like this Minton date mark for 1898?


http://www.thepotteries.org/mark/m/minton.html

 

Yes that looks like the one
So we have Minton initials TS dated 1898. But what is it ?

 

I'm inclined to agree with Ownedbybear. It isn't pretty but functional and utilitarian.
Doulton sounds sensible. I wondered if it might be a water filter although, why would the bottom have holes in it. Hmmmm.

 

Functional and utilitarian but I can confirm it is Minton dated 1898.

 

Ooops.

 

I found a decorated one listed on ebay as a dog trough or bowl.

 

The inside of the bowl shape is unglazed.

Wouldn't the holes on the underside let the item breath when the bowl itself got moist...?