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Bear jug: C.502 & A-1928

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An image of Bear jug
An image of Bear jug
An image of Bear jug
Current Location: Gallery 27 (Glaisher)

Maker(s)

Pottery: Unidentified Staffordshire Pottery

Entities

Categories

Description

White salt-glazed stoneware, in the form of a bear with a detachable head which forms a cup

White stoneware, thrown in two parts with applied ears, muzzle, tail, and legs, with clay chips applied to simulate fur, and brown slip details applied before salt-glazing. The bear has a tubby body, with short hind legs and longer forelegs. The removable head has a white salt-glazed stoneware ring in its muzzle. The flat hind end permits the bear to sit upright or it can be displayed in a walking position. The lower part of the head is decorated with seven groups of brown slip spots around a central spot to resemble a decorated collar, and the paws have brown slip claws. The eyes are formed by raised circles with brown slip inside them.

Notes

History note: B. Jolly and Sons, Cambridge, from whom bought for £2.15s. on 11 May 1907 by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J. W. L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Height: 23.5 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

18th Century, Mid
George II
Circa 1740 CE - 1770 CE

Components of the work

Decoration composed of slip ( brown)
Surface composed of salt-glaze
Body Depth 18.5 cm Width 13 cm
Body And Head
Details
Ears, Snout, Limbs,
Fur

Materials used in production

off-white Stoneware

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: circular white stick-on label with printed lettering around the edge

  • Text: J.W.L. Glaisher ./Collection . printed surrounding 4683 in ink
  • Location: Inside neck
  • Method of creation: Printed in black and hand-written in black ink
  • Type: Label

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.502 & A-1928
Primary reference Number: 75325
Old object number: 4683

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 30 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Bear jug" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/75325 Accessed: 2025-12-05 20:13:40

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/75325 |title=Bear jug |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 20:13:40|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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