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Description:
Here is something absolutely wonderful – it is a pitcher in the form of a bear hugging a wild dog or cat. It is very interesting and there is a lot of work going on here. The bears head is removable in order to fill the pitcher. The bear’s mouth is open and he is licking his chops. He has a collar on and attached to the collar there is a chain made of the same pottery as the rest of the piece. There is a little banner that goes around the side of the handle that says Bears Grease. Majolica or Staffordshire and I do believe that this dates from the 19th century. The condition is very good – the one and only problem that it has is there are 3 links of chain that have broken off. There is no makers mark to be found and I wouldn’t suspect there to be any. In the book Illustrated Dictionary of Ceramics by John Cushman on page 39 I found a little bit of history on bear jugs - It begins with a pottery jug made in the form of a seated bear with a detachable head forming a cup. Early examples where made circa 1530 at Brixen in the Tyrol. And these probably inspired later versions in England, Nottingham, Derby Yorkshire and Staffordshire where some were salt glazed. The bodies of these are often covered with fragments of clay to represent fur. In some models the bear hugs a dog. Now my feeling is this – I see the picture of the glazed earth and ware jugs Staffordshire 18th century seen here and there are some subtle differences with the one I have here – I believe the earlier ones had no opening in the mouth because it was meant to be used as a coffee cup (so that takes care of that). The overall look has the colors of majolica this may very well be Staffordshire. I bought this bear jug about 25 years ago at a country auction where it was an estate sale and the bear was part of a huge huge collection of very early pottery and porcelain – as I look back I wish I had had more money at the time and knew a bit more at the time because now in my minds eye I could see that there was early Wedgwood and Chinese export and you name it - a lot of early pieces but again at the time I didn’t have enough knowledge I wish I could go back and buy every piece there but it is one of those things that won’t be repeated again. Here is the bear being offered for sale that has been sitting on the cupboard for over 25 years – I love it and I hope you do too. This bear has great detail! It measures 9 ˝” at deepest x 11 1/8” at highest x 5”w.
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| Status: For Sale |
Reference#: an2699 |
| Condition:
good - very good |
Year:
19th century
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| Title:
Rare Stafforshire Bears Grease Pottery Pitcher |
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