Past Imperfect, The Art of Inventive Repair

A pottery cream jug made by John Ridgway & Co. in Staffordshire, England. The transfer printed decoration in brown & green is highlighted with red and green overglaze washes. This piece almost did not make it in to my collection. During my last trip to London in the spring of 2009, I saw the jug at an unattended market stall. Each time I went back to try and find the dealer, he was nowhere to be found. I almost gave up, but finally with the help of his neighbors, I tracked him down. Luckily, the price was right and after all of the effort, I had to buy it!

Jug measures 5″ high

Marked on the bottom: “FIELD SPORTS, J R Co.” with an incised “2”

The replaced metal handle is bolted through the back of the jug

This jug, made by Elijah Jones in the Country Sports pattern, shows what the original handle on my jug may have looked like. As this piece was manufactured around 1830, it seems my jug was a copy of the successful design about 10 years later

Photo courtesy of eBay

Each of these polychrome decorated jugs was purchased separately and in different countries one year apart. Both have the same relief stag & dog decoration and possess a similar metal replacement handle. They were most likely made in Staffordshire, England.

The larger jug (left) has pink lustre decoration and measures 6.5 inches tall. It was purchased in the UK, not far from where it was made.

The smaller jug (right) was found in Maine and has a polychrome flow blue and pink lustre decoration. It stands 6inches tall.

Both jugs have tin replacement handles of a similar design

“EPSOM CUP” is impressed only on the larger jug

These three jugs of graduating size still have their original branch form handles

Photo courtesy of WorthPoint