Fabulous, vintage 1880's redware pitcher with green salt glaze, decorations, and mustard mottling. The magnesium in the glaze created a folksy, polka dot effect where mustard yellow spots bled through the green in random places, making this a very desirable piece of pottery. In addition, this piece has triangular shape decorations on each side and incised rings about 1/3 the way down the piece. Its applied handle is in very good condition, free from cracks and hidden repairs.
Jugs like these held juices and homemade wines and were often stored on the cellar floor to keep the contents cold and fresh. While the interior and most of the exterior are glazed, the underside is not. The unglazed portion of the pot absorbed the cold ground moisture without contaminating the contents thanks to the glaze on the inside.
This pitcher is in nice shape for being 120 years old or so. There are no cracks or hairlines at all. The opening rim in unchipped...a feat in itself given the heavy use these pieces saw. The bottom rim has an old chip which is not readily apparent nor significant since most pieces of redwear found these days have far more serious problems. This is a very nice piece of 19th century pottery that is ready to grace your home!
