Childs Cobalt Blue Transferware Tea Set

PUNCH & JUDY

Charles Allerton & Sons Staffordshire England c 1890

This is a whimsical and rare childs transfer printed tea set in a rich cobalt blue or flow blue with round melon shaped vessels.

The set includes:

Teapot, 5-1/2 inches tall

Sugar, 4-1/2 inches tall

Creamer, 3-1/2 inches tall

The set features the fabulous characters from the Punchinella puppet show (dating back to Italy in the early 17th century) of Punch, Judy and baby, along with a fanciful pipe-smoking frog. The images repeat on each side of each piece. These playful characters are surrounded by an aesthetic display of flowers and geometrical whimsies. The handles and rims have a geometric-floral border trim.

The pattern name is ‘Punch’. Each of the three pieces is marked with the pattern name. The set was probably made by Charles Allerton & Sons, a pottery manufacturer in the Staffordshire region of England who was well known for his whimsical children's tea sets.

This set is in great condition, with no chips cracks or repairs. Normal wear consistent with age. The workmanship is haphazard, which is one of the reasons many people collect it...not fine china, and not meant to be; it was made for children and probably considered disposable. The transfers are not all aligned neatly, and there is runny glaze and little bumps and dips and transfer wrinkles and glazed over edge crizzling original to the making. The naïve and hasty style adds to the folksy charm. Offered as is.

Antique English transferware in the Punch and Judy pattern is quite scarce and highly sought after, and are getting harder to find, particularly in this great shade of flow blue. This amusing tea set will make a wonderful addition to your collection of children's dishes or any collection of Punch and Judy, jester, puppetry or magical memorabilia. Please send us a message with any questions or if you would like to see additional photos.