While we frequently encounter transfer printed wares enhanced by enamel overpainting, rare...
While we frequently encounter transfer printed wares enhanced by enamel overpainting, rarely do we find examples so extensively and skillfully enameled that it takes close examination to distinguished them from totally hand-painted pieces, Such is this scene of a pipe smoking fellow--handy ax under his arm and dog at his heel--that adorns this pearlware jug in the popular bulbous "Dutch" shape. The mixing of white and grey tones to create the effect of snowdrifts under pale winter skies shows a level of sophistication also unusual on such wares.
The border and handle belie the winter theme of the decoration, featuring instead summery blossoms enriched primarily by pink and green enamels.
The reverse features an elaborate version of the "Farmers Arms," the popular motif intended to honor the agricultural profession by creating a heraldic device composed of farm motifs and such appropriate symbols as the beehive (representing industry). Our example prominently presents the couplet: "He that by the plough would thrive / Himself must either hold or drive." Below a ribbon bearing the motto "Industry produceth wealth" frames a busy milkmaid with cow amidst an array of farm images. Here the purple transfer printing dominates, merely enhanced by touches of red yellow and blue.
Finally the space under the spout features a painted inscription commemorating one John Hinton, obviously a prominent figure in the jug's provenance, with the date 1824.
