BACKGROUND HISTORY:
The decoration on this Creamer Jug depicts 'the falls' which are part of the river Skell, situated next to the large Fountains Abbey complex which was founded in the 12th Century and remained in continuous use for the next 400 years. Today it is largely unoccupied (except for small areas used for exhibitions etc) and is owned by the National Trust.
While running water (obtained from one of the spring's from the river Skell) was considered a necessity back in the 12th Century, this spring (and others surrounding the Abbey complex) are now a headache due to climate change, particularly when the abbey experienced extensive flooding in the early 2000's. In 2021, the National Trust issued a press release to give notice to the climate change problem, stating that the Abbey "is at risk of being irreparably damaged by flooding ..."
Here is a contemporary view of the area depicted on both sides of this Creamer Jug
Without a word of a lie, this "The Abbey Falls" teaset accessory is a stunner, one of my wife's pride and joy's but reality has hit, she needs to make room for her other newly acquired treasures ... this piece must find a new caring owner.
DLAT Rating: 10/10 (Darling Look At This!)
JAMES SADLER - Creamer Jug
James Sadler England
Circa - production of these barrel shaped teaset accessories was anywhere between 1937 ~ 1947
Shape: Footed Barrel
Decoration: Depiction of the Fountains Abbey and the falls in the foreground, the full colour artwork has been hand decorated as evidenced by very close inspection of the decoration (no dot patterns!) and the underside Artist's mark in Lime Green. Colouring used is vivid and bright with the side handle and spout having an almost Art Deco look ... diamond shapes interspersed with Mauve coloured flowers.
The cream body of the creamer jug has extensive Gold gilded artwork, flowers and foliage - not infilled with colour.
Finished with extensive, heavy use of hand applied Gold gilding to many areas including both sides of the handle, framing of each side of the artwork, around the rim of the open top mouth (including the spout) and two lines around the base foot.
Quite frankly, the decorative skills of the artist and the gilder at the works is very impressive, not perfect (it is hand decorated afterall) but very very good.
DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT:
This is quite a large creamer jug ...
Stands 100mm height x 100mm width (wide spout extends a further 25mm plus the large (easy to hold) handle extends a further 35mm from the 'rear')
Width of the jug is 73mm
Weight (without milk or cream!) is 310g
BACKSTAMP
COSMETIC CONDITION:
DISPLAY ONLY - this Creamer Jug has never had milk or cream in it, always on display in the cabinet.
NO cracks to the creamer jug body
NO decorative discolouration, in fact the colouring is quite stunning and vibrant
NO spout discolouration or damage
NO wear or other damage to the Gold decoration and gilding
Yes, there is light crazing visible to the underside and topside body where there is no decoration - this crazing is very light and not terribly noticeable. In very good condition considering 'she' is around 75+ years old, if only I looked that good at 75!
SPECIAL NOTE:
While each piece of this three piece teaset accessory set is available for purchase individually, I have created a special code that can be used in the checkout area IF all three pieces are being purchased (if all three remain available) - the discount code to use in the checkout is JAMESABBEYFALLS, this will provide an immediate 30% discount off all three items.
