HISTORY:
Well, this piece takes me back quite a while! Pretty sure it was the 1970's and although I personally tended to focus on china-ceramics-porcelain of "English" origin, I was also a bit partial to a nice piece from Ireland! While not in the realm of the incredible Belleek wares from Ireland, this ceramic from the Carrigaline pottery works just had to come home with me ...
I have seen these pouring jugs in both a very plain decoration and "dressed up" for the souvenir market - this jug is the latter.
Instead of just the plain Shamrock 3 leaf clover artwork, this piece also has Ireland on one side and two deep Red roses, which I was told (at the time although the memory is not good these days!) represents the famous Rose Of Tralee although this is actually the title of an Irish tradegy love folk song. These "extra" decorations were obviously aimed at the tourist who wished to take home a momento from their visit.
I am told that the Carrigaline Pottery is no more, having ceased operations around the late 1970's
If Irish chinaware and porcelain "warms the cockles of your heart", you might also like to take a look HERE
CARRIGCRAFT - Pouring Jug
Made in Cork, Ireland
Carrigaline Pottery Works
Circa1970's
Size: Medium - not a miniature jug but not a large type such as a Water pitcher either.
In fact I have measured that it comfortably takes 300mL (around 10 ounces for those still in "the old measurements")
DIMENSIONS: 120mm (almost 5 inches) height x 55mm x 40mm oval shaped mouth with spout
Hand decorated (partially)
What does "partially" mean? The two deep Red roses with foliage are definitely transferware HOWEVER the text Ireland (in Black flowing writing) has been hand applied and actually all of the Shamrock decorative work is also hand applied.
White/Cream base ceramic colouring which also has an embossed relief design near the top rim and around the lower area of the body.
Gold gilding has been hand applied to the top rim and each side of the handle.
Overall it is a very simplistic design with a strong Irish "aura"
BACKSTAMP
This closeup of the backstamp below is taken directly from this piece, not some random picture copied from online (I have seen some folks do this!)
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED but for all intentions and purposes "as new"
I bought this back to New Zealand, then moved to Australia and it has been in one of the china cabinets ever since! Never seen a drop of creamer or water (for Whiskey)
NO cracks
NO stains, marks or other signs of use
NO chips or fleabites
NO crazing
NO wear showing to the artwork at all
NO wear to the Gold gilding
NO discolouration (topside, inside and underneath except the rim underside as this is not glazed and can become discoloured over time)
Slán fóill dear Ireland!
