Tuesday, February 19, 2008

A wide mouth with leaf embellishments, UK, circa 1900

This beauty is  bit humorous in its proportions.  It does have some embellishments, however, that makes this "Penelope" dressed and ready for the ball.  It has a beautiful foot, which in ceramics is revered. A rather heavy and obtrusive line that delineates its form, that really works as a holding rail when you have a hold of the vessel other than by its handle.  The subtle leaf embellishments (not shown) are at the end of the handle and at the top arch of the opening and the gentle crazing of the glaze gives it authority that demands respect.  It reminds me of an old aunt whose life is quiet now, but in her day beware, for she was wild and wooly.  This piece does have a mark on the bottom, but it is indecipherable and acts more as a tease than a fact.   Flaunting its possible pedigree, but falling short, it looks like a crest with a lion on the left, a horse on the right and a crowned crest in the middle (looking with a magnifying glass the crest looks like a english bulldog's face).  The letters O. P. CO are below the crest.  In our distant past or daunting present this piece would make a statement on any bedside table to the point of intimidation.   

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