R H & S L Plant
Tuscan was the tradename used by the pottery, RH & SL Plant located at Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. The backstamp began to be used from 1947 onwards although my wife believes these items of Tuscan date from the 1950's ~ 1960's - many English works were adjusting their product range after the severe restrictions placed on them during "THE War" and the general design indicates a product produced a little later than just after the war. In 1966, Wedgwood gained control of the R H & S L Plant product, renaming the range to Royal Tuscan.
DLAT Rating: 8.5/10 (Darling, Look At This!)
I have called this a light Pink in the title but we affectionately used to name a lot of our chinaware's and this creamer jug was part of our "the fairy floss" teaset (as I would call it) or my wife called them the "blushing Pink" teaset - this Pink colouring is subtle, subdued and has "class"
TUSCAN - Creamer Jug (1) ONLY
Fine Bone China Jug
Medium size - holds enough Milk or Cream for a four setting teaset (unless your guests like it REALLY milky!)
Circa 1947+ (based on the backstamp design) most likely 1950's ~ 1960's
Translucent fine china, meaning that when it is held to the light you can easily see the shadow of your hand through the chinaware
Stepped topside rim
Delicate and very dainty pale pink all over colouring, no design artwork other than the extensive Gold gilding used.
Gold gilding has been applied all around the top edge, including the pouring spout area, patterned scrollwork just below the top rim, back and sides of the upturned handle, near the base and finally a much heavier band around the base.
It would seem that the gilding has been hand applied, gilder's mark on the underside base.
DIMENSIONS:
Creamer Jug: 60mm diameter "mouth" with the body standing 90mm high
Wide mouthed, unturned pouring spout is 25mm wide and raised 20mm from the jug main body - this makes for easy pouring with those "dribbles"
Queen Anne style handle is quite large and will suit just about any finger! Even those of a husband with large hands!
Weight: 180g
CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
Good overall condition
Fairy Floss Pink colouring is consistent and no discolouration has occurred *** BUT see my notes below about this!
NO cracks to the creamer body or the handle
NO fleabites
Gold gilding is in truly amazing condition although it must be said that this is a quality product and the gilding has been applied "heavily"
Common areas of wear have NONE i.e the top edge-rim, the pouring spout area and all parts of the handle - not even the slightest sign of handling wear.
The inside of the jug is very clean, no stains observed
Crazing Alert!
Actually the crazing is not very bad but I can see it when looked at closely. Crazing occurs over the years due to the clear glaze being subjected to various environments and hot-cold changes. Its just a fact of life for many older pieces of chinaware.
The crazing on this jug is around the sides and not readily obvious - it is NOT severe surface cracking of the glaze, just subtle tiny hairline cracks. These can be seen when dry or wet.
*** While looking at this crazing, I noticed three little "spots" and I am not sure what they are. Careful cleaning/sterilising with Alcohol didn't budge the "dots" and looking at them with a magnifying glass, they even look like they are UNDER the glaze but they do not look like baterial growth (mould!)
Shame but there is not much 60+ year old chinaware "out there" that is in perfect condition and to be truthful, this jug still presents extremely well at the afternoon tea party ...
