Help to identify transfer picture on very large jug
Posted by Nick Parry on October 2, 2012, 6:15 am
Request for help – very large china blue and white jug
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]
Nick – I can tell you that the view on your jug shows Belvedere House, near Erith in Kent and it is one of a series of views taken from source prints published in 1828-30 and 1835. This dates the jug quite nicely for you, even if somewaht later than you thought. Such large jugs were made either as display pieces (usually for china retailers' shops) or for use with footbaths. The lack of an inscription on your jug suggests the latter. Is there any chance you would be prepared to let me have a couple of high resolution images for my work on British views? I'd be most grateful. Regards. Dick Henrywood (dhenrywood@bowstation.com)
Re: Large jug
Posted by Nick Parry on October 5, 2012, 3:52 pm, in reply to "Large jug"
Dick - many many thanks for that. From what you have posted I have tracked down a print of a north view of Belvedere House by a Charles Mottram which was taken from a painting by Joseph Fussell. Whilst the print does not exactly match the transfer picture it is pretty close - perhaps the painting by J Fussell is the original of the transfer picture. I have been wondering about the possible use of the jug - if it were filled just to its widest part that would still be about 47 litres of water which would weigh 47kg or 103lbs which is probably too heavy for the jug to be useable. Anyway I will be delighted to e-mail the photos I have taken so far. With many thanks again. Regards Nick
Re: Large jug
Posted by Len on October 5, 2012, 7:43 am, in reply to "Large jug"
And chiming in on the same subject, would you give us permission to use your images for the pattern database? We don't have this view yet and it would make a great addition. Thanks, Nick. Len
Re: Help to identify transfer picture on very large jug
That's a wonderful story, Nick - small wonder the jug is so important to you! Unfortunately the link to your picture isn't working and our webmaster is on vacation, so it may be a bit before the rest of us can give you any help. From what you've said I'd agree it probably doesn't date to 1760, probably more likely early to mid 19th century. Did you see the picture of the big jug on our home page, with the baby inside? Is that similar to what you have?
Re: Help to identify transfer picture on very large jug
Hi Nick. Thanks, I was able to access your pictures. What a great jug! Even without your family history it would be worth holding on to, just because it's so rare to get a piece that size (how big is it, by the way?) and that good looking. As for the damage, it would be unusual for a piece of hollowware as big and as old as this not to have some dings and cracks; it's obvious it's been highly valued for a long time. It probably dates to the 1820s, but no later than the 1830s. Having said all that I don't know the pattern! But I'll ask around. Thanks!