milk jug

Summary

Pear-shaped cream jug tapering to tall cylindrical neck with deep sparrow beak lip. Applied loop handlel. Fine two-part slip-cast body with relief decoration on each side, of large pecten shell surmounted by pendant scrolls and flanked by scrolls a bird and a snail. Join marks of two halves disguised by narrow plain relief band running from lip to handle. Slip-cast body coated with a fine white slip, now crazed and slightly discoloured. Shallow domed cover with relief-moulded decoration of scallop shells.

Display Label

The Thomas Greg Collection The Greg Collection of English Pottery was given to the Gallery in 1904 by collector and amateur historian Thomas Greg. One of the great collections of English pottery, it was formed at a time when little was known about the history of ceramics in this country. Over forty years Greg systematically acquired some of the best examples of the potter's art, tracing its development over a thousand years. His collection tells the story of English pottery: of experiment and invention, triumph and downfall, from the unknown medieval craftsman to the world domination of Josiah Wedgwood. In many ways, it is a history of England itself. Greg was driven by a fascination with the past and a desire to contribute to scholarly knowledge. He gave his collection to the Gallery in the hope of inspiring a similar sense of wonder in others.