Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 139, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Butter Boat

1779-99 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Butter boat of soft-paste porcelain transfer-printed in underglaze blue and moulded in relief. Leaf-shaped with the handle in the form of a stem under the base to a cluster of leaves. Inside is a Chinese fishing scene with a hexagon diaper border.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Soft-paste porcelain transfer-printed in underglaze blue and moulded in relief
Brief description
Butter boat of soft-paste porcelain transfer-printed in underglaze blue and moulded in relief, Caughley Porcelain Factory, Caughley, ca. 1779-99.
Physical description
Butter boat of soft-paste porcelain transfer-printed in underglaze blue and moulded in relief. Leaf-shaped with the handle in the form of a stem under the base to a cluster of leaves. Inside is a Chinese fishing scene with a hexagon diaper border.
Dimensions
  • Length: 7.3cm
  • Width: 5.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
'S' (In underglaze blue)
Credit line
Given by Alfred Darby, Esq.
Historical context
Previously thought to be a caddy spoon, but probably intended for a savoury sauce made with melted butter, water and flour
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic reference
For this pattern see The Caughley Society, Caughley Blue & White Patterns (2012), cat. B03, where dated 1779-99
Collection
Accession number
C.190-1921

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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