Milk Jug thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Milk Jug

ca. 1790-1800 (made)
Place of origin

This milk-jug is of pearlware and the distinctive ornate handle terminals help to attribute it to the Leeds Pottery. Pearlware is a term that covers a wide range of wares and does not have an easily definable linear history. One view is that 'pearlware' was developed by Josiah Wedgwood and marketed in 1779. The ware he produced was basically a creamware body, modified to make it whiter by the inclusion of china clay, which was then covered with a glaze containing some china stone. Most importantly a small quantity of cobalt was added to the glaze, which gave it a blueish tint. It is this cobalt blue glaze over a whitish body which is regarded as the most distinctive feature of pearlware. Often the glaze can appear quite blue in areas where it has collected, such as around foot rings, or at the base of handles. Although technically 'pearlware' can be decorated in a number of ways the term is usually only used to refer to pieces decorated in underglaze blue.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
earthenware, moulded and painted
Brief description
Milk jug, pearlware, Leeds, about 1790-1800
Physical description
Milk-jug, earthenware (pearlware) with painted decoration of a band around rim and single plant on main body, twisted handle with ornate terminals
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.5cm
  • Spout to handle width: 11cm
Checked 24/02/2009
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Bequeathed by Algernon Brent
Production
Attribution based on handle terminals - see Towner,
Summary
This milk-jug is of pearlware and the distinctive ornate handle terminals help to attribute it to the Leeds Pottery. Pearlware is a term that covers a wide range of wares and does not have an easily definable linear history. One view is that 'pearlware' was developed by Josiah Wedgwood and marketed in 1779. The ware he produced was basically a creamware body, modified to make it whiter by the inclusion of china clay, which was then covered with a glaze containing some china stone. Most importantly a small quantity of cobalt was added to the glaze, which gave it a blueish tint. It is this cobalt blue glaze over a whitish body which is regarded as the most distinctive feature of pearlware. Often the glaze can appear quite blue in areas where it has collected, such as around foot rings, or at the base of handles. Although technically 'pearlware' can be decorated in a number of ways the term is usually only used to refer to pieces decorated in underglaze blue.
Bibliographic reference
Towner, Donald, English Cream-coloured Earthenware, (London: Faber and Faber), p.72 & p. 78 (ill.)
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.398-1916

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 2, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest