A BEAUTIFUL LARGE VICTORIAN ENGLISH IRONSTONE WATER JUG BY THOMAS GIMBERT BOOTH, DECORATED IN THE SCARCE “CLEOPATRA” PATTERN.
Dating from approximately 1876–1883, this imposing Staffordshire washstand pitcher stands around 31 cm (12¼ inches) tall. Its elegant shape, wonderful architectural handle and unusual polychrome classical decoration make it an exceptional antique display piece—and a fabulous statement vase for flowers.
THE DETAILS
• Object: Large water jug, pitcher or ewer
• Maker: Thomas Gimbert Booth
• Pattern: Cleopatra
• Origin: Tunstall, Staffordshire, England
• Factory: Church Bank Works
• Date: Circa 1876–1883
• Period: Victorian, late 19th century
• Material: Glazed earthenware or ironstone
• Decoration: Polychrome transfer-printed classical frieze
• Colours: Ivory white, deep green, black, russet, pink and soft blue
• Style: Victorian, Neoclassical and Aesthetic Movement
• Original use: Bedroom washstand water jug
• Mark: Crowned garter “CLEOPATRA” backstamp with T.G.B. initials
• Height: Approximately 31 cm / 12¼ inches
• Width including handle: Approximately 25 cm / 9¾ inches
• Jug body diameter: Approximately 20 cm / 7⅞ inches
• Unpacked weight: Approximately 1.5 kg / 3.3 lb
Please note that the width, diameter and weight are estimated because the jug is currently held in storage.
ABOUT THIS PIECE
This is a particularly decorative example of late-Victorian English Staffordshire pottery. The generously proportioned ovoid body rises from a circular foot into a narrow waist and dramatically flared rim.
Around the shoulder is a detailed polychrome classical frieze. Mythological sea figures ride fantastical sea creatures between geometric Greek-key borders and richly coloured ornamental panels. The decoration incorporates deep green, black, russet, pink and soft blue against the jug’s warm ivory-white ground.
Its most distinctive feature is the long, angular architectural handle. Outlined in green, the handle terminates in a stylised leaf or anthemion form where it meets the body.
The jug would originally have formed part of a substantial Victorian bedroom toilet or washstand set, accompanied by a matching pottery basin. Before bathrooms and running water became commonplace, the jug was used to carry water to the bedroom washstand.
Today, it makes a spectacular decorative vase filled with flowers or foliage and would look wonderful displayed on an antique dresser, farmhouse table, kitchen island or country-house washstand.
THE MAKER AND PATTERN
The crowned garter backstamp beneath the jug contains the pattern name “CLEOPATRA” and the initials “T.G.B.” These initials identify the maker as Thomas Gimbert Booth of the Church Bank Works in Tunstall, Staffordshire.
Thomas Gimbert Booth succeeded his father and produced earthenware and ironstone under his own initials from approximately 1876 until 1883. In 1883, his brother Frederick joined the business and the company became T. G. & F. Booth. The T.G.B. mark therefore allows this jug to be dated to a relatively narrow seven-year period.
The Cleopatra pattern reflects the Victorian enthusiasm for classical history, archaeology and exotic ornament. Despite its name, the frieze does not appear to depict Cleopatra herself; the name was used for this richly detailed, classically inspired design.
CONDITION
In excellent antique condition for its approximately 145–150 years of age.
There are no chips, cracks or repairs, and the jug remains watertight. It displays fine age-related crazing and minor rubbing and scuffing to the transfer-printed decoration, entirely consistent with its age and original use.
This is an authentic Victorian antique with the subtle variations and signs of age that make every early piece of pottery unique. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
POLLY’S STYLING NOTES
The scale of this jug makes it a particularly impressive decorative piece. I would fill it with loose country-garden flowers, dramatic branches or eucalyptus and place it in the centre of a farmhouse table or on a substantial antique dresser.
Its classical decoration and clean ivory ground allow it to sit beautifully alongside English ironstone, transferware and more rustic country-house antiques. It would also look wonderful returned to its original setting on a marble-topped washstand.
SOURCED BY POLLY
Personally sourced by Polly of French General Trading, drawing on more than 25 years of experience buying and selling antiques, decorative objects and European brocante.
Each piece is chosen individually for its history, decorative character and ability to bring something unique to an interior.
DELIVERY
This substantial antique jug will be carefully and securely packed for its journey from Dorset, England.
Orders are normally dispatched within 48 hours. International delivery is available to selected destinations, with the applicable delivery information shown at checkout.
Although the jug is watertight, it is sold as an antique decorative collectable and flower vase rather than for modern food or drink use.
Dating from approximately 1876–1883, this imposing Staffordshire washstand pitcher stands around 31 cm (12¼ inches) tall. Its elegant shape, wonderful architectural handle and unusual polychrome classical decoration make it an exceptional antique display piece—and a fabulous statement vase for flowers.
THE DETAILS
• Object: Large water jug, pitcher or ewer
• Maker: Thomas Gimbert Booth
• Pattern: Cleopatra
• Origin: Tunstall, Staffordshire, England
• Factory: Church Bank Works
• Date: Circa 1876–1883
• Period: Victorian, late 19th century
• Material: Glazed earthenware or ironstone
• Decoration: Polychrome transfer-printed classical frieze
• Colours: Ivory white, deep green, black, russet, pink and soft blue
• Style: Victorian, Neoclassical and Aesthetic Movement
• Original use: Bedroom washstand water jug
• Mark: Crowned garter “CLEOPATRA” backstamp with T.G.B. initials
• Height: Approximately 31 cm / 12¼ inches
• Width including handle: Approximately 25 cm / 9¾ inches
• Jug body diameter: Approximately 20 cm / 7⅞ inches
• Unpacked weight: Approximately 1.5 kg / 3.3 lb
Please note that the width, diameter and weight are estimated because the jug is currently held in storage.
ABOUT THIS PIECE
This is a particularly decorative example of late-Victorian English Staffordshire pottery. The generously proportioned ovoid body rises from a circular foot into a narrow waist and dramatically flared rim.
Around the shoulder is a detailed polychrome classical frieze. Mythological sea figures ride fantastical sea creatures between geometric Greek-key borders and richly coloured ornamental panels. The decoration incorporates deep green, black, russet, pink and soft blue against the jug’s warm ivory-white ground.
Its most distinctive feature is the long, angular architectural handle. Outlined in green, the handle terminates in a stylised leaf or anthemion form where it meets the body.
The jug would originally have formed part of a substantial Victorian bedroom toilet or washstand set, accompanied by a matching pottery basin. Before bathrooms and running water became commonplace, the jug was used to carry water to the bedroom washstand.
Today, it makes a spectacular decorative vase filled with flowers or foliage and would look wonderful displayed on an antique dresser, farmhouse table, kitchen island or country-house washstand.
THE MAKER AND PATTERN
The crowned garter backstamp beneath the jug contains the pattern name “CLEOPATRA” and the initials “T.G.B.” These initials identify the maker as Thomas Gimbert Booth of the Church Bank Works in Tunstall, Staffordshire.
Thomas Gimbert Booth succeeded his father and produced earthenware and ironstone under his own initials from approximately 1876 until 1883. In 1883, his brother Frederick joined the business and the company became T. G. & F. Booth. The T.G.B. mark therefore allows this jug to be dated to a relatively narrow seven-year period.
The Cleopatra pattern reflects the Victorian enthusiasm for classical history, archaeology and exotic ornament. Despite its name, the frieze does not appear to depict Cleopatra herself; the name was used for this richly detailed, classically inspired design.
CONDITION
In excellent antique condition for its approximately 145–150 years of age.
There are no chips, cracks or repairs, and the jug remains watertight. It displays fine age-related crazing and minor rubbing and scuffing to the transfer-printed decoration, entirely consistent with its age and original use.
This is an authentic Victorian antique with the subtle variations and signs of age that make every early piece of pottery unique. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
POLLY’S STYLING NOTES
The scale of this jug makes it a particularly impressive decorative piece. I would fill it with loose country-garden flowers, dramatic branches or eucalyptus and place it in the centre of a farmhouse table or on a substantial antique dresser.
Its classical decoration and clean ivory ground allow it to sit beautifully alongside English ironstone, transferware and more rustic country-house antiques. It would also look wonderful returned to its original setting on a marble-topped washstand.
SOURCED BY POLLY
Personally sourced by Polly of French General Trading, drawing on more than 25 years of experience buying and selling antiques, decorative objects and European brocante.
Each piece is chosen individually for its history, decorative character and ability to bring something unique to an interior.
DELIVERY
This substantial antique jug will be carefully and securely packed for its journey from Dorset, England.
Orders are normally dispatched within 48 hours. International delivery is available to selected destinations, with the applicable delivery information shown at checkout.
Although the jug is watertight, it is sold as an antique decorative collectable and flower vase rather than for modern food or drink use.