Antique 19th c. large Staffordshire Swan Ceramic Butter Dish and Cover HandPaint

Condition: Used

Condition Notes: Condition: Fair antique condition with notable damage, as is common with pieces of this age. The item has significant crazing throughout, and the gold accents are faded in many areas.

Brand: Staffordshire

Type: Collector Plate

Occasion: All Occasions

Era: Victorian (1837-1900)

Material: Ceramic

Time Period Manufactured: 1800-1849

Production Style: Art Pottery

Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom

Production Technique: Pottery

Culture: English

Vintage: Yes

Colour: White

Condition: Good antique condition as is common with pieces of this age. no cracs no chips. The item has significant crazing throughout, and the gold accents are faded in many areas. 

Description:

This is a charming and authentic antique 19thcentury Staffordshire ceramic butter dish in the form of a graceful swan. The piece is a wonderful example of Victorianera decorative pottery from the heart of the English ceramics industry. The swan, with its beautifully sculpted feathers and elegant neck, serves as the cover for the dish. The piece is handpainted, with fine gold brushstrokes that once highlighted the intricate details.

Despite its age and the damage it has sustained, this piece has a beautiful, antique patina that tells a story of its history. The crazing, a natural network of fine cracks in the glaze, is a characteristic of genuine vintage pottery. This is a perfect item for a collector of Staffordshire ceramics or a lover of unique, historic kitchenalia who appreciates the wabisabi aesthetic of perfectly imperfect, vintage objects.

Measurements:

• Height: Approximately 8 inches from the base to the top of the swan's head.

• Length: Approximately 10 inches  from the front of the base to the back.

• Weight: Approximately 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs).

Historical Background:

The Staffordshire Potteries in England were a major center for ceramic production from the 17th century onward. By the 19th century, they were producing a vast array of decorative and utilitarian earthenware for a burgeoning middle class. Butter dishes and other animalform containers were highly popular, reflecting the Victorian fascination with both nature and elaborate table settings. Swanthemed items were particularly common, as the bird symbolized grace and was a favored decorative motif. Pieces like this were often molded and then handfinished, making each one unique. The presence of crazing and the wear on the gilding are typical signs of an authentic 19thcentury Staffordshire piece that was a functional and cherished part of a Victorian household.