Beautiful, seemingly rare hand painted ceramic lidded Ginger jar made by the Boston China-Decorating Works,circa 1860-1888.

The ginger jar is decorated with lovely violets and foliage, leaves and stems. The artistic work is typical of pieces painted by Celia Laighton Thaxter of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and the Isles of Shoals.

Known for her poetry and china painting, the subjects of her decorating showed the natural beauty she saw in her daily surroundings.
Ms. Thaxter's visual inspirations were a constant source of the talent she expressed when painting on ceramics and other objects of art.

Similar examples can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum, and in numerous exhibition catalogue records. A wonderful book published by Peter E. Randall titled " One Woman's Work: the Visual Art of Celia Laighton Thaxter" focuses on her poetry, life and art. The book contains 150 full color illustrations.

Boston China-Decorating Works was founded in 1860 by L.Cooley. This business was well respected nationwide for producing high quality ceramic art designs. Pieces are rarely offered or seen outside of privately conserved collections.

Size: 6" high, 5 1/2" wide.

Condition: Grazing and surface grime typical with age. Some loss of gold on the neck, under the lid. No repairs or cracks. Brown stain under the lid.