Black basalt is a hard black vitreous stoneware, named after the volcanic rock basalt. The colour of black basalt came from 'Carr', an oxide of iron suspended in water that flowed through coal seams and mines. It was manufactured by Josiah Wedgwood from about 1768 and other manufacturers soon followed. Black basalt does not need to be glazed and can just be polished to a dull sheen.
This creamer has an attractive low oval and ribbed form with a sprigged band of stylised flowers and scrolls. Technical difficulties with producing these repeated motifs is demonstrated here with the clear overlap of the design where the band meets. The dark nature of basalt wares means that this is only evident on close inspection and may not have been a mistake. The repeat of the band design may have fitted perfectly for the circumference of other shapes in the range.