Creamware punch pot printed in black. The two main scenes are both found on Liverpool tiles. One shows two children dancing to the music of a flute-player while a woman looks on (Anthony Ray, Liverpool Printed Tiles, 1994, no.D5-12). This design, known as Two Children Dancing, is also found on a Philip Christian porcelain mug (an example of which is included in this exhibit).  The pattern was previously called the Dancing Dwarfs. To either side of the main scenes are incongruously large flying birds and butterflies. This feature occurs on William Reid's Liverpool porcelain and has been attributed to Henry Baker who is known to have worked at Reid's factory. The factory failed in 1761, and by 1763 Baker is known to have been printing creamware for a Liverpool pottery. Okill's pottery is thought to have been the only one in Liverpool making creamware at that time. 

The handle of the pot is reminiscent of Wedgwood but the old-fashioned crabstock spout is not. The printing is unlikely to be by Sadler and Green because Sadler told Wedgwood in 1763 that he had never printed on anyone else's creamware but his. 

" /> Printed British Pottery & Porcelain | Punch pot
Norwich Castle Museum (Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service) 241.70.946

Additional Image:

The other side is printed with a scene of a gentleman touching a country girl on the chin while an old man looks on. An 18th century observer would assume that the man was soliciting the girl's sexual favours. This subject is also found on Liverpool tiles (Anthony Ray, Liverpool Printed Tiles, 1994, no.D5-4). This choice of subject makes more sense if this pot was designed, as seems likely from its large size, for punch rather than for tea. A masculine audience seems intended.

 

The flying birds and butterflies at the ends of the pot are completely out of scale with the main decoration, although they are very close to it. The same juxtaposition is found on Reid's Liverpool porcelain.

 

Shape Type: Miscellaneous

Pattern Type: Genre Scenes

Date: c. 1763-1770

Dimensions:

  • Diameter: 6.81 in (17.30 cm)
  • Height: 8.70 in (22.10 cm)
  • Length: 10.35 in (26.30 cm)

Maker: Okill's Flint Mug Works Liverpool (Possibly)

Printer: Henry Baker (Probably)

Description:

Creamware punch pot printed in black. The two main scenes are both found on Liverpool tiles. One shows two children dancing to the music of a flute-player while a woman looks on (Anthony Ray, Liverpool Printed Tiles, 1994, no.D5-12). This design, known as Two Children Dancing, is also found on a Philip Christian porcelain mug (an example of which is included in...


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