Flow Blue Urns(pair)

Pottery : Antique : Flow Blue : Babes In The Woods : Urns

 

These flow blue urns will bring comment from people who are not collectors. The pair match as far as the pressed mold, but the transfer decorations are different.The transfers are part of the Babes in the Woods or Blue Children transfers that were used by a several companies. Twelve transfers in this group are known. Each urn measures 13 3/4 inches in height and roughly 7 inches wide at the handles. Fired in an open kiln each is dotted with the cinder marks all about. The estimated time period of manufacture is 1880s. I do not find a mark and I have found no like piece in my research.

Both urns are flow blue at the base and at the top where there is leaf design work in the mold. The "bowl" is a natural/greyish white with the flow blue transfer. The front transfer on one urn depicts two children well bundled with a large umbrella - walking in the rain. This transfer measures approx. 5 x 4 inches. The smaller back transfer depicts two young lads conversing in the grass, one carrying a stick. They are dressed in shorts, one a sailor's summer attire for boys. This transfer measures 3 x 3inches. The second urn has a larger front transfer measuring approx. 7 by 5 inches and depicts three children playing hide and seek in winter. There is not a transfer on the back of this one.

Each is mint in condition from use: no chips, cracks, scrapes or crazing. Expected imperfections in the manufacture are present including a depression dimple and dripping run of the blue. On the sides you will see the seam line of the pieces molded together. The bottom of each urn has black spots where pads had been applied, but so long ago there are nearly part of the porcelain.

Again I do not know the manufacturer or even the country of origin. I have been told they are most likely German. I would not be surprised to learn that they are anything else. We can say they are Victorian, more rustic than fine finished, and very eye catching. I will say they are hard to find despite the quantities of like product made at that time.

I am selling them as a pair and offering free domestic shipping. Do not hesitate to contact us should you have questions or wish to shed light upon their history. Meanwhile, please be invited to tour Orphaned Treasures, exclusive to Ruby Lane, and enjoy the offerings.

Item ID: OT-1154