cream jug

Summary

Public: Pear-shaped lidded cream jug, yellow ochre lead-glazed earthenware, with white lip and handle and applied decoration of scrolls and flowers. Private: Pear-shaped cream jug on turned spreading foot, tapering to tall, slightly flared neck. Yellow ochre body, with applied white sparrow beak lip and ribbed strap loop handle with folded spur at lower terminal. Applied stamped relief decoration in white around belly beneath lip, of four flowerheads emerging from central feathery scroll. Cover missing.

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.