Archive for March, 2010

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Redware jug with lid, c.1870

Friday, March 26th, 2010

This 6″ tall cracked jug with a replaced mismatched lid and tin base, possibly from Pennsylvania, is covered in a web of hand woven wire.

Redware pottery is earthenware made from red clay containing ferrous oxide, and the dark spots on the surface are a result of manganese in the glaze.

the cracked base was completely covered in wire and tin, now rusted. Please take a look at Tuscan pottery jug, another example of an earthenware jug with a similar repair.

This antique redware jug with similar form is without cracks and wire reinforcement.

Photo courtesy of Malleries

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Meissen style trinket box, c.1890

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

I found this oddity in a gift shop in Provencetown, MA and thought it was so ugly I almost didn’t buy it. But the “beauty” of this repair is that the entire lower portion of the covered box that was lost, has been lovingly recreated out of wood.

The back view of the wine barrel-shaped box, which measures 7-3/4″ high and 6-1/2″ long, shows great skill and detail.

Matching the faux woodgrain on the porcelain top, a craftsman painted the replaced wooden bottom to look like porcelain, which had already been painted to look like wood!

Wonderful details include this minutely carved spigot.

The porcelain figure on top of my trinket box…

is very similar to this c. 1800 Meissen porcelain figure of a boy holding grapes

Photo courtesy of M. S. Rau Antiques

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“Sailor’s Farewell & Return” jug, c.1800

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Prattware molded pottery jug from England with relief decoration and rare “PRATT” incised mark on bottom. Measures 5″ high. One side depicts a sailor bidding farewell to his lady.

And the other side of the jug shows them happily reunited upon his return home.

The plain metal handle replaces the original one, made of earthenware.

It is extremely rare to find a piece with an incised “PRATT” mark on bottom.

A similar jug without an inventive repair shows what the original handle looked like.

Photo courtesy of John Howard

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Chinese “mille-fleur” plate, c.1865

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

I purchased this 7-3/4″ dessert plate about 20 years ago at a now, sadly departed antique china shop on Greenwich Avenue in NYC. There is nothing extraordinary about this piece, except that it reminded me of my parents collection of Chinese export porcelain, filling a wood hutch and corner cabinet in our dining room.

Beautifully detailed mille-fleur (“thousand flower”) design, rendered in the famille rose pallette, incorporates blossoming peonies, chrysanthemums, lotus flowers, morning glories, hibiscus, roses, daisies and lilies.

The lush border is filled with a variety of birds and butterflies.

This plate was cherished, even after it became broken and was repaired with five metal staples on the back.

These cracks are tightly held in place with staples attached well over 100 years ago.

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“Scottish Thistle” crystal cordial, c.1900

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Tiny crystal cordial stemware made in Scotland by Edinburgh Crystal, stands a mere 3-1/2″ tall. The popular hand cut and etched “Scottish Thistle” design was first manufactured in 1896.

When the stem snapped, an iron sleeve was attached to join the two broken halves. A layer of gold paint was applied to the repair to help mask the exposed metal.

This example of an intact cordial shows its delicate stem.

Photo courtesy of eBay

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Mochaware “Seaweed” pattern mug, c.1850

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

This cylinder-shaped soft paste English tavern mug from the mid-1800’s has blue & teal bands with a lovely seaweed pattern.

The front of the mug has an embossed cartouche bearing the word “PINT”, covered by its metal strap.

Judging from the multiple cracks, chips and handle loss, this poor mug must have been caught up in the middle of a bar room brawl. The original applied handle has been replaced with a sturdy tin handle and straps, sometime in the late 1800’s.

An almost exact piece showing the applied handle as it was originally made, and with no repairs.

Photo courtesy of Penny Candy Antiques

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Greek style teapot, c.1850

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Porcelain teapot made in the UK in the mid nineteenth century with matte finish neoclassical decoration, stands 7.25 inches long by 4.5 inches tall. I originally thought this teapot was made by Samuel Alcock but I have been told it was made by Dudson.

The other side of the teapot with chariot decoration.

Both the handle and the spout have an unusual repair of tightly wrapped metal wire.

The undamaged lid has extra deep sides.

The teapot was also available with a black background, shown here without the wire repairs.

Photo courtesy of eBay

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Chinese Yixing cream jug, c.1790

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Simple yet elegant Chinese barrel form jug dates from the late 1700’s, stands 3-1/4″ high.

The broken applied handle is held back in place with engraved silver cuff repairs.

A silver band with decorated scalloped edge is clipped on to mask the damaged rim.

Wire, rather than rivets, was used to secure the broken handle to the jug

There is a maker’s mark on the bottom. Apologies if I have not shown it right side up.

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Cranberry glass trumpet vase, c.1890

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

There’s not much I know about this little gem of a free-blown glass vase, which measures 5-3/4″ high. It has become a favorite of mine, due to its delicate form and beautiful cranberry color. A turned wood base replaces the long-gone glass base.

This clear glass trumpet vase shows what the original glass base on my vase might have looked like.

Photo courtesy of Skinner

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Globular “Mandarin” teapot with double repairs, c.1750

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Chinese export porcelain teapot, from the Qianlong period (1736-1795), has a Mandarin design painted in the famille rose color palette. Teapot measures 7-3/4″ long by 4-3/4″ high.

The same nicely detailed hand painted decoration in polychrome enamels is found on both sides of the teapot.

Aside from a few nibbles on the end, the original porcelain spout has escaped major damage.

Teapot has a double repair, as both the lid and handle have been replaced with hollow tin, gessoed and painted to match the body. These repairs seem to have been done in the early 1900’s and the enamel color, once matching the white porcelain color,  has darkened over the years.

Most of the once white enamel which covered the replacement lid has worn away, revealing bare metal.

This Mandarin teapot maintains its original handle and lid.

Photo courtesy of EastWest Gallery

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