F. WINKLE BLUE AND WHITE ANTIQUE JUG OR PITCHER NANCY PATTERN

This Ornately Embossed or Relief Molded Art Nouveau Wash Pitcher/Water Jug was manufactured by F. Winkle Company in the Town of Stoke, Staffordshire, England approximately 1900.

Geoffrey Godden’s Encyclopedia of marks suggests that the factory used the same cartouche mark from c.1890-1925.

Originally this jug was part of a lavatory set and was accompanied by a large wash bowl. Unfortunately over the years these sets got separated from their former set amount of pieces which usually consisted of about 8-10 pieces to compose a complete lavatory set. It measures 11" Height.

COMMENT: This Gracious Art Nouveau Wash Jug/Pitcher Flaunts A Large Floral Sprig On Both Sides. It is a great quality transferware which I prefer to call simply “blue & white” transferware and not “flow blue”. Many dealers refer to this example as "light flow blue".

Having been an ardent collector of the great dark ironstone flow blues & the very dark semi porcelain/Edwardian flow blues, I am fervent about what constitutes "real" flow blue. Too many dealers pass off any and all "blue & white" as "flow blue". This is especially evident on eBay. I am sure that those of you who know better will agree! Unfortunately this is too much of a common occurrence. Such practice is not fair to the buyer because the price difference can be phenomenal depending on the status of the piece in question. The debatable question is: when does "blue & white" transfer become "flow blue"? Firstly, "flow blue" is ''blue & white'' (transferware) that has been transfered onto an earthenware/pottery body/medium, either "ironstone" or "semi porcelain", the earlier reserved for early-mid Victorian and the later reserved for late or Edwardian  flow blue.

The "darkness & intensity" of flow blue depends on the amount of cobalt ink added; the "flowing/running" appearance depends on how much chlorine was added to the glaze during the firing. (For further in-depth information about "semi porcelain", "blue & white transferware" & "flow blue transferware", go to Home page, click Media and read our published articles).

Today many collectors use these wonderful objects of the past as collector/decorator items to accessorize the country charm at the cottage. These objects work like a good marriage with primitives & primitive furniture.

Many if not most of these ornate lavatory pieces were produced during the Victorian Era to accommodate the bedroom of the more affluent household when of course there was no running water and flushing toilets. A Ewer Set (Jug & Basin) always graced the Wash Stand in every bedroom such that the persons awakening or retiring could wash themselves after having used the other accessory pieces. The more ornately molded and high quality transfer pieces always were found in the more affluent household whereas the heavy plain white ironstone was to be found more so in the countryside household.

CONDITION: This Fabulous Decorative Jug/Pitcher is in excellent condition!

F. WINKLE & COMPANY HISTORY

Originally this factory was begun by Winkle & Wood who began building this factory in 1888 and opened it in 1890 which they called the Colonial Pottery Works which was located at Stoke, Staffordshire, England.

F. Winkle worked at the Colonial Pottery outlet whereas Wood continued at the Pearl Pottery Works at Hanley, Staffordshire, England where both originally operated in partnership with Hines from 1885-1890. The F. Winkle Company existed from 1890-1931. Over the course of some forty years, they used several cartouche marks.

The F. Winkle Company was renowned for their very good quality transfer ware and quality clay composition. Their semi porcelain was high quality and was not prone to crazing or staining and their glazes were also high quality. One of their most popular blue & white patterns was called Togo which is absolutely gorgeous. Many of the pieces bordered on being considered flow blue because of the darkness and intensity of the cobalt blue color. “Togo” pattern was also transferred in a beautiful deep pink which the French call “Vieux Rose”.