Jug: EC.1-1937

Maker(s)

Potter: Toft, Thomas (Probably)

Entities

• Jug
• mug

Categories

• Lead-glazed earthenware
• Slipware

Description

Earthenware with slip decoration and lead-glaze

Pale red earthenware, thrown, with applied pulled handle, decorated with cream and brown slips under a glossy lead-glaze which stops about 1.5 cm above the edge of the base. The body appears mid-brown under the yellowish lead-glaze. The jug has a cylindrical neck, and a slightly bulbous body which contracts into a narrow solid foot with a projecting edge. The strap handle has a slight longitudinal ridge. The neck is slip-trailed in brown with white spots over it with a narrow horizontal band below which is the name THOMAS TOFT. Below there is a broad cream slip band impressed with a row of Xs, and there is a similar band below the main field. This is decored wth five almond-shaped motifs outlined with cream slip and impressed Xs, and having a cream slip rosette in the centre of the pale red clay ground. In each space between them there is a vertical motif comprising a lozenge flanked by almond-shaped motifs impressed over cream slip. The ground is dark brown.

Notes

History note: Charles J. Lomax collection; sold Sotheby's, 7 April 1937, Well-known Collection of English Pottery, lot

Legal notes

Purchased with the Glaisher Fund

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bought (1937-04-07) by Sotheby's

Dating

17th Century, Late
Charles II
Circa 1660 CE - 1685 CE

Note

One of only five recorded pieces of hollowware signed by Thomas Toft.

This is a rare example of holloware bearing the name THOMAS TOFT, and is presumed to have been made by the potter who placed his name on many large dishes. A tyg is in the Yorkshire Museum at York, and a posset pot is in the Burrell Collection at York.