England, late 17th century

the reverse of the body with a simple loop handle and short tail

Sotheby's, London, 2 June 2005, lot 79

Losses and chips to lid, some minor chips to handle.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

There are some variations in the way these jugs are decorated. An example decorated with a slip scroll fringe above the owls eyes, previously sold at Sotheby’s in 1898, was loaned by Thomas Greg for the exhibition Early English Earthenware, Burlington Fine Arts Club, London in 1914 and illustrated in the catalogue, no. 19, plate IX, p. 23

A curious example decorated with trailing white and brown slip from the Glaisher collection was bequeathed to the Fitzwilliam Museum in 1928, Cambridge, object number: C.252 & A-1928. An example from Longridge collection is highlighted with wings picked out in dark brown slip and cream dots, sold at Christies, 10-11 June 2010, lot 1103, previously sold at Sotheby’s on 6 June 1989, lot 327, illustrated by Leslie B. Grigsby in the collection catalogue, Vol. 1, S81. Other examples are in the British Museum, London, acquired in 1877, registration no. 1887,0210.41 and The Chipstone Foundation, Wisconsin, USA, previously sold at Sotheby’s London, 14 April 1966, lot 92

No production site has been confirmed for the making of these owl jugs, but the slipware decoration is typical of the Staffordshire area.