I am after help in finding out more about a large blue and white jug that has been in our family for nearly one hundred years. When I say large it is in fact 63cm high, 72cm wide at its broadest point (from lip to back of handle) and about 48cm in diameter at the bowl section's widest point. It is possible for one person to lift, but care is needed. It has been extensively cracked and has a number of metal staple repairs that date from before it came into our family.
I do know quite a lot about it's history. When my grandfather became the Rector of Diptford, a small parish near Totnes, Devon, England in 1916 he bought a large amount of household items and furniture from the retiring Rector, a Rev Notley, and this blue and white jug is listed as one of the items bought at that time. The Rev Notley bought the jug from a Edward Parkhouse who was a Cabinet Maker and Art Furnisher in Ebrington Street, Plymouth, Devon. Although we do not know the price Rev Notley paid for it, we do have a wonderful letter written to him by Edward Parkhouse on April 16th 1894 telling how Mr Parkhouse obtained it. The letter is a bit difficult to read in places but the main part goes as follows:
"Dear Sir
The large jug you purchased of me came from the private collection of Mr T Jarvis of Windsor Villas Plymouth, he died some ten years ago and was about seventy years old, he was an industrious poor boy and worked as a lad in the potteries in Staffordshire and seeing this jug he saved up his money and purchased it. Being of an enterprising turn of mind he purchased a donkey and cart and went all over the country selling ....not sure what next bit says ... in the country villages. He made a lot of money and left his collection of china to his son of whom I purchased it. He informed me it was much valued by his late father and they considered it was worth twenty five pounds, also that the age was about 130 years. Now I have told you word for word as I received it. ...."
I have done a bit of research on the Mr T Jarvis referred to in the 1894 letter and have found out that he is Thomas Jarvis, born in 1821 in Blythe Marsh, Staffordhsire, England; and in the 1881 census he is recorded as living at 1 Windsor Villa, Plymouth and his occupation is Glass and China Merchant employing 3 males and 3 females. So he made good progress from his donkey and cart beginnings!
Based on that letter the jug could date from about 1760. However my wife and I think that the picture on the jug (all 4 pictures are the same and I have taken a snap of the best one - the rest are more mottled in appearance) looks like a Victorian mill of some sort. That said, the building does appear to have some sort of park land in front of it, you can see cattle and sheep and also two people walking a dog, The building appears to have a large chimney in the middle and a large round window behind it.
I would love to know if the actual building could be identified and whether there is a way to date the piece. There are no makers marks that I can see anywhere on the bottom or side.
I have a great deal of attachment to this jug. My parents were given it by my grandfather when he retired in 1951 and in the mid 50's when I was old enough to play 'hide and seek' with my older brother I actually hid inside it on several occasions! My brother, being older, was too large - hee hee! I have been the proud owner for two years now.
[img]https://picasaweb.google.com/104622570581412289236/LargeBlueWhiteJug?authkey=Gv1sRgCJfaguDVvJSMBA[/img]
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