General question about 5" Royal Worcester pitcher

Preparing to list this, had a question. There is a tiny mark, almost looks like a slash of black paint under the handle, see last two photos. The piece is in really nice condition otherwise, and my sense is that this original to the piece, perhaps a slip of the brush when it was being signed/numbered on the base?



Keywords to describe something like this? Thanks.

 

I've wondered about similar odd marks on pieces I've had. I'll be curious to see what others say.

That's a lovely piece!

 

Worcester would NEVER have let that out of the factory if it were a manufacturing mishap. Or at the very least, it would have a second mark. Looks almost like a scuff to me, and I've seen that a fair bit. Is it over the glaze?

 

Looks like felt tip pen to me from the photo. If it's an over glaze mark I'd be tempted to see if a tiny bit of isopropyl alcohol would remove it but I've never fiddled with anything on this type of glaze so don't know what might happen.

 

Something land in the glaze in firing and burn off?

 

It would still have been rejected. Worcester were very very funssy.

 

I didn't mean it wouldn't...just suggesting what it may be.

 

Oh quite.

 

I'm with SIS. Try a q-tip with a little alcohol or Fantastik, slightly moistened & use a very light touch.
Peggy

 

Just back, thanks so much for the responses.

Since I have the piece in the hand, a few observations. I don't believe that it is a scuff, totally smooth to the touch. And it seems to be over the glaze. I just took a 60x loupe, possibly some kind of ink or paint the way it has kind of a bleeding look at the edges.

Helpful to know that Royal Worcester was very strict, so we can assume this happened after production.

There is so much written on the bottom of this piece aside from the stamp, "EC" (I assume that is the decorator's initials) "3" "1m" then what looks like "28" or "2B" in black. Also on the base, a red smudge of paint, a black smudge.

If Worcester was so fussy (not doubting that, I've sold figurines, etc. they were always immaculate) could this have been a practice or sample piece?

 

Oh, and I'll try the solvents (later today).

 

Lighter fluid maybe?

 

You could try a pencil eraser.

 

An eraser sounds like a good idea also. If you have one of the flat rectangular type with the angled ends that might be the least "invasive" so to speak. Whatever you decide to use, remember to use a light touch.
Peggy

 

Don't use an ink eraser I would think....

 

Total success! I already had the rubbing alcohol out and was giving it a test before I spotted the eraser suggestion. Alcohol was the key, it dissolved on contact. No pressure needed. Literally one swipe.

It must have been a sharpie or something, perhaps from the estate sale folks marking things hastily. Sorry to clog up the list, I just thought it looked like paint....

Happy ending on this one.

 

Good that it cleaned up so easily. Congrats!

 

Too late now but ah I was gonna say hair spray will take ink out of almost anything

 

Yea! It looks beautiful!

 

Excellent!

In general, is it safe to use rubbing alcohol on glass and ceramics? Is it okay on EAPG items?