Blue & White Floral Pottery Planter & Cover

Details

Description

Blue and White Utility: Vera Pottery Covered Pail

Object: Covered Pail / Chamber Pail
Origin: Vera Pottery (Location Unspecified, likely … Read more Blue and White Utility: Vera Pottery Covered Pail

Object: Covered Pail / Chamber Pail
Origin: Vera Pottery (Location Unspecified, likely Staffordshire, England)
Date: Circa 1900-1930
Medium: Earthenware, Printed Underglaze Blue Decoration
Decoration: Floral design (likely Rose or Chintz pattern), Reeded Base, Knob Handles

Dimensions: 9 inches high x 11 inches wide x 9 1/4 inch diameter.

While its original domestic use was purely utilitarian (likely as a chamber pail, given the era), its robust construction and pleasing floral pattern make it a desirable object today, often repurposed for storing kindling or used as an elegant container for flower arrangements.

This substantial blue and white pottery covered pail is a fine example of early 20th-century utilitarian ceramics, showcasing how traditional decorative techniques were applied to functional domestic objects . The cylindrical form features a reeded lower section for visual appeal and stability, alongside two exterior knob handles for easy transport.

The body, cover, and handles are decorated with a finely printed blue and white floral design, characterized by soft, flowing botanical elements that were typical of the transferware tradition popular since the 19th century. The cover is notable for its openwork knob finial, which serves a practical purpose as a vent hole.

Historical Context: The Utility of Transferware

Dating to the first decades of the 20th century, this pail's style reflects the continuation of transfer-printing, a method developed in the 18th century that allowed manufacturers to quickly and affordably apply detailed decoration to earthenware. The blue-and-white color scheme was enduringly popular, providing a crisp, clean look suitable for household objects.

The pail is attributed to Vera Pottery, which operated during a period when manufacturers heavily relied on marketing familiar patterns and functional forms to the newly industrialized domestic market. Pieces like this highlight the era's focus on combining aesthetic appeal with the practical necessities of everyday life.

Potential References

Copeland, Robert: Blue and White Transfer-Printed Pottery (For historical context on the design style).

Godden, Geoffrey A.: British Pottery and Porcelain: An Illustrated Encyclopaedia (For information on early 20th-century earthenware manufacturers like Vera Pottery). See less