ALLERTONS ENGLISH ANTIQUE COPPER LUSTER JUG

This Early Twentieth Century Copper Luster Pottery Jug was manufactured by Charles Allerton & Sons of Longton, Staffordshire, England and is stamped ALLERTONS ENGLAND. The jug measures 5 7/8” High. It has a large blue band at the neck and is decorated with large copper luster spinach leaves.

COMMENT: This is a later production of the earlier Victorian copper luster jugs. Consequently the difference between this jug and the earlier Victorian productions is evident in the texture of pottery and color of copper luster. This jug has less sheen and a much darker luster finish.

HISTORY OF COPPER LUSTERWARE

At the time, there were a number of Staffordshire factories producing these luster pieces. Attribution to specific potters was not really possible since most luster ware pieces of the early vintage were unmarked. However as we all know from experience and research, all of this ware was definitely from the Staffordshire district in England.

Pieces that had relief with hand painting overglaze were as early as 1820 and continued up to 1850. After 1850 luster pieces became less ornate and were using a “brush stroke” technique as a form of hand painting and were more naive in terms of decoration. By 1860 pieces were less ornate and molded relief/embossed work was almost a thing of the past. Now the potters were emphasizing hues of luster resist in terms of glazes and were complimenting their pieces with variations of multi colored banding with little brush stroke naïve florals as a technique to give the pieces a more alluring charm.

Such luster ware pieces were referred to either as copper resist, copper luster and luster ware. Either terminology is technically correct. This original form of pottery production was basically terminated by 1870. By 1890 other English factories began what we call technically “reproductions” of these earlier wares; however these were marked by the various factories and are substantially lower in quality and in value. One such company that began this resurgence was the factory of Allertons of Staffordshire.

Again by 1930-1940, George Wade created flashy and gaudy reproductions quite “unlike” the originals. His creations were usually large gaudy flowers. The quality of clay ingredients were quite different and were a lighter earthenware and more porous. The original copper luster was heavier and had more iron content. Some of the super early pieces that date 1820-1830 were exquisite and were executed on a “pearlware” medium. As we approached 1840, most factories used a more weighty “ironstone” body for their medium of production to create their copper luster.

CONDITION: Excellent! A photo of the backstamp was not available at this time; it will be inserted at a later date or immediately upon request.