Salt-glazed West Country Stoneware Cider Flagon c1800

Description

Heading : Salt-glazed Stoneware Cider Flagon
Date : 1780-1810
Period : George III
Marks : incised name ‘J+Mole’ below three concentric rings on the upper part of the body
Origin : South West England
Colour : red/brown earthenware base with burnished salt-glaze finish

Features: applied strap handle from the widest part of the body to the neck-rim; narrow aperture
Condition : Very good; structurally sound but with unglazed patches entirely consistent with the production process. and some chips to the base rim; there are also chips around the neck rim. which may have lost half an inch or so by comparison with similar jugs. although examples where the handle finishes flush with the top of the neck are not unknown. and the losses may. therefore. be more superficial.
Restoration : none
Dimensions : 31.4 cm in height  –  17.0 cm diameter base  –  24.5 cm diameter body at widest point
Weight : 4123 grams

Eric Knowles Comments : I was fortunate enough to be able to show this flagon. in person. to the splendid Mr Charles Hanson. whose enthusiasm for antique earthenware and stoneware is matched only by his knowledge of the same; it was Charles who hypothesised as to the likely use. age and source of our fine flagon. The capacity of the piece must be getting on for a dozen pints or so. which would be enough rough cider from Somersetshire. Devonshire* or thereabouts to incapacitate a decent-sized horse. let alone Mr Mole and a couple of his friends. It is also exactly the sort of vessel that would have been called in to action for a traditional wassail – see our latest blog on the subject.

*At the time our flagon was produced. these county names – and others which do not currently end in this manner – were commonly suffixed with ‘shire’