PURPLE TRANSFERWARE PERSIAN PITCHER
Victorian Staffordshire
Ridgway Morley Wear
Circa 1836-52

William Ridgway of Staffordshire, England, in the “Persian” pattern — a gorgeous Victorian Romantic transfer featuring exotic architectural scenes with domed palaces, sailing ships in harbor, urn of flowers, and dense floral borders in rich mulberry purple. Sculptural baluster form with a naturalistic branch-form handle and pedestal foot. Marked on underside with the original William Ridgway “Persian” backstamp (urn, beehive, and “WR” cartouche), dating to c. 1830–1854 before William’s second bankruptcy. Heavy age-appropriate crazing throughout and some honey-toned staining and discoloration to the body consistent with ~180 years of age. No chips, no cracks. A true showstopper antique for a purple transferware collector, a grandmillennial mantel, or a cabinet-of-curiosities display.

Ridgway Potteries Ltd, was founded sometime around 1744. Sometimes called the Grandfather of the Potteries, the Ridgway family can be traced to the earliest days of the Staffordshire potteries, along with such famous names as Wedgwood, Spode and Adams.

Under the management of one family member, John Ridgway, the Ridgway potters were appointed as Potter to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. This was the highest acclaim for any English pottery firm.

One of the family members, William Ridgway, operated the Bell Works in Shelton and the Church Works in nearby Hanley from 1830-54. The Bell Works Pottery at Bethesda Street has been The Potteries Museum since 1956 and houses the largest and most important collection of North Staffordshire pottery in the world.

Measures: 7.5"

Condition: No chips but there is a lot of crazing.  

To learn more about English transferware and see it in many practical and decorative uses please visit me at one of the places below:

BLOG: www.nancysdailydish.blogspot.com
PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/transferware
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/English-Transferware/277105748523
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/transferware

Featured on Etsy November 2012:
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/collecting-english-transferware-one-womans-story

*also have the green and brown version shown in last 2 photos in an 8" size listed separately

*Both Shepherd boy and Scottish Laird figurine are also listed sepa