A mid Victorian period Staffordshire Ironstone puzzle jug by Elsmore and Forster with hand painted decoration and an inscription dated for 1860.

The jug has a circular pedestal foot, a high angular handle and a scalloped rim.

The hollow handle leads to a hole in the base via an interior tube. There is a small hole to the inside of the handle and keeping this covered with a finger whilst filling the jug allows the liquid to remain in the jug, but uncovering the hole (by releasing your finger) will let the liquid spill out of the hole in the base.

The jug has been decorated with a blue border to the base & rim, a hand painted detail to the handle, and a hand painted floral spray to either side in polychrome enamels on a white ground. Beneath the spout is the hand written puce inscription 'James Crossley, Firwood, Bolton, 1860' within a floral frame.

The base has the printed 'ELSMORE & FORSTER / Warranted Ironstone China' Royal Coat of Arms backstamp, which was used between c.1853 - 1871 (Elsmore & Forster were based at the Clayhills Pottery, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent).

Condition is fine with no damage or restoration, and only light rubbing to the paintwork commensurate with age.

The jug stands approx 8 1/2" / 22cm to the highest point of the handle.

Shipping :

UK : £9.00
Europe : £13.00
US/Can/Row : £20.00

Antique Porcelain & Pottery
Antique Pitchers