prattware « Past Imperfect, The Art of Inventive Repair

Posts Tagged ‘prattware’

“Love and live Happay” teapot, c.1805

Saturday, July 15th, 2017

I am a big fan of ceramics with bold, graphic decoration, especially ones with text, and this charming example certainly fits the bill. This Prattware pottery teapot, proclaiming “Love and live Happay (sic),” was made in England in the early 1800s. Standing 5.25 inches high and 10 inches wide, it is painted in typical Prattware colors, including green, yellow, blue, and brown.

It appears that long ago, Mr. Butterfingers loved his teapot so much that he tossed it up in the air with glee, but didn’t catch it on its way back down. Sadly, the lid and handle shattered beyond repair, but thankfully a tinsmith was able to craft a nifty metal replacement handle so the teapot was able to be loved again and live happ(a)ily ever after.

This teapot with similar shape and decoration shows what the original handle and lid on mine might have looked like.

Photo courtesy of Agnes Ashe

Tags:English, metal handle, pottery, prattware
Posted in teapot | 4 Comments »

The Slaughter Feast jug, c.1795

Saturday, August 13th, 2016

This pearlware pottery Prattware jug was most likely made in Staffordshire, England, between 1790 and 1800. It has molded polychrome relief decoration, with The Slaughter Feast, attributed to Ralph Wood, on one side of the jug and An Offering of Peace, designed by Lady Templetown and modeled by William Hackwood, on the other side. It measures 6.25 inches high.

It looks as though over 200 years ago someone took the image of The Slaughter Feast a bit too literally and broke off the handle. Luckily for the owner, a tinsmith was able to create a simple metal replacement handle so that the jug was able to function again. But as luck would have it, a brawl began after the first repair was completed, resulting in a damaged spout. Although the pressure is intense, I promise that as long as I am the keeper of this jug I will do my best to insure no further damage befalls it.

This intact jug shows what the original handle on mine would have looked like before it took a tumble.

Photo taken from the book Pratt Ware 1780-1840 by John and Griselda Lewis.

Tags:English, metal handle, pearlware, pottery, prattware
Posted in jug | No Comments »

“Parson, Clerk & Sexton” jug, c.1790

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Pottery jug made in Staffordshire, England with cobalt blue glazed molded relief design of three men shown drinking and smoking, as well as trees on the front and back. There is a feathered border just below the rim and a leaf border in the middle and along the bottom.

Jug stands 8-3/4″ tall and dates from the late 1700’s.

This popular design is called the “Parson, Clerk & Sexton”, also known as the “Parson and Clerk” jug.

This type of soft paste pottery is referred to as Prattware.

An elaborate tin handle and a multitude of tin straps replace the original handle, which must have broken off in the nineteenth century.

The condition of the jug is deplorable, with numerous cracks and breaks. It’s amazing it still appears to be on one piece and has lasted over 200 years!

The bottom of the jug is inscribed “Dec 275”, perhaps meaning December 2, 1875. This might have been the date the piece was repaired and I only wish the mender had signed his name as well.

The same jug, decorated in a more colorful palette, still has its original “rustic” style handle.

Photo courtesy of David Pownall Willis

The vape pens we’re sponsored by the Pax 2. Follow the link for more information.

Tags:blue & white, English, metal handle, prattware
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Pratt “Native Scenery” tea caddy, c.1900

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

English porcelain tea caddy with blue and white transfer decoration, made by F & R Pratt and Company of Fenton, Staffordshire from 1880 to 1920. The scene is believed to depict Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby known as “The Ladies of Llangollen” who lived together in North Wales from 1790 to 1831.

Tea caddy measures 5-3/4″ high.

Marked in blue transfer on the bottom “Pratts Native Scenery”.

Clever copper strap repair holds together the two broken halves of the lid.

Tags:blue & white, English, porcelain, prattware, transferware
Posted in tea caddy | No Comments »

“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

Tags:English, metal handle, pottery, prattware
Posted in jug | No Comments »

Prattware ovoid form jug, c.1810

Friday, March 19th, 2010

A charming English pottery jug from Staffordshire measures 6-1/2″ high, with colorful relief images of children and dates from the early 1800’s. One side shows a boy, a girl holding a doll and their dog and is marked “Sportive Innocence”.