Birney Creek Interiors Pottery

This late 19th century glazed earthenware mug was crafted in the studios of Cincinnati Ohio's renowned Rookwood Pottery Company and has a traditional form with an ear-shaped handle having a thumb rest. The exterior of the piece is finished in standard glaze and features hand painted decoration executed by highly regarded artist William Purcell McDonald (1864-1931). The decor has an appealing wine harvest theme consisting of grape vines that snake across the surface. The vines are studded with leaves in various shades of green along with two dangling clusters of plump reddish grapes. McDonald's application of paint is slightly raised in places giving the image a dimensional quality. The mug is further ornamented with an ornate silver overlay manufactured by Gorham. The silver decoration covers the handle and rim and includes a series of large etched foliate scrolls and flowers that extend across the body. There is also an eye-catching latticed area that provides a strong visual contrast with the gentle curving motifs found on the other parts of the silver overlay. The underside of the mug has an impressed RP mark along with shape 422 and the letter W. It also carries the incised initials of the artist - W. P. McD - and the letter L. The underside of the silver foot rim is stamped Gorham Manufacturing Co. along with a hand engraved mark reading S 1274 S. This highly collectible Rookwood silver...

This large hand-painted charger was made by Mintons Art Pottery Studio of Kensington Gore, London. The studio traces its origins to the renowned earthenware and fine bone china factory Minton, located in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire England. Colin Minton Campbell, descendant of founder Thomas Minton, took over company management in 1858 and went on to establish Mintons Art Pottery Studio in 1871 for the purpose of hand decorating pottery and tiles. The studio initially operated under the direction of painter and book illustrator William Stephen Coleman and drew upon the talents of artists studying at the Kensington's National Art Training School, now known as the Royal College of Art, as well as those of well-regarded Continental artists. The company was short lived as it was destroyed by an accidental fire in 1875 and was not rebuilt. This large earthenware charger has been hand-painted in polychrome enamel and depicts two young children at play in the nursery. The scene includes multiple colors and textures and features a cherubic toddler seated upon a bed alongside a young girl standing on a blue footstool...