Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I Want One!


The next time I need to carry water as a civilian, this is what I want:




Per the seller, it dates to approximately 1830's. It's a lovely transferware pattern, with birds and florals. The side view shows the construction very clearly - two bowl forms joined to form the vessel.


This form has existed for centuries, here's an early example:


This blue-glazed pilgrim flask dates to the 1st-3rd century A.D. It was made from two wheel-thrown halves that were then joined together. Beautiful marks from the potter's wheel remain in the center of the body.

The transferware example lacks handles and was most likely formed of two molded half forms, not wheel thrown, but the similarity of shape is quite clear.

A gourd is much lighter weight to carry, but transferware is just so, so pretty!

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