Cream Jug

Date1744-1749

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumPorcelain, soft-paste

DimensionsH: 4 1/4in. (10.8cm); L: 3 5/16in. (8.4cm); W: 2in. ( 5.1cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1962-79

DescriptionMolded, soft-paste porcelain jug with decoration in relief. The pear shaped jug rests on two goats, lying in opposite directions. Both goats have short horns which have been painted with brown enamels. On the front of the jug, there is a branch with leaves painted in various shades of green with red, blue, and yellow flowers. A honey bee painted in black and yellow enamels rests on top of the branch of flowers. The bee was molded separately and then applied so that the body of the bee is not fully attached to the jug. On one side of the jug, there are two hand-painted butterflies. The handle is molded to resemble a branch is painted with brown enamel. Several leaves painted with green enamels were applied to the handle. There is a line of brown, iron oxide applied to the rim.
Label TextThis jug was probably made in the same mold as an unpainted example in the CWF collection (accession 1962-78). Its decorations include butterflies and flower heads painted on the side in enamel colors, molded flowers and leaves, and a bee applied under the spout.

Goat-and-bee jugs have been copied many times as reproductions and as fakes. Reproductions made at Coalport are common but are not easily mistaken for the original; the painting in particular has a hard outline. On some originally unmarked goat-and-bee jugs a triangle was scratched into the base in modern times with the thought that it would increase the value of the piece. The same was also done to Coalport reproductions to pass them off as Chelsea.

Similar jugs, without the bee, were made in salt-glazed stoneware at the same time as, or shortly after, the Chelsea models.
InscribedNone
MarkingsIncised triangle on unglazed base.
Provenanceex coll: Wallace Elliott, M.G. Kaufman.

Exhibition(s)