Vintage 1940's Japanese Majolica Pitcher - Handpainted Earthenware Pottery - Made in Japan
Drama comes in little details.
{HISTORY}
Majolica is a type of handpainted, glazed earthenware pottery with embossed detailing that originated in the 1850's and quickly became popular during the Victorian era. Even though this pitcher is creamer sized, it is still referred to as a pitcher among collectors because most often these came in sets of pitchers of graduated sizes, large to small. This pitcher in-particular was made in Japan in the 1940's and bears 75 years worth of adventure in all its incredible patina.
It always amazes us here in the Vintage Kitchen when we encounter a heavily crazed piece of pottery like this delicate beauty. History feels palpable when you run your fingers along the cracks and the crazing lines. Imaginations quickly take flight with possibilities about where it's been and what it's seen over the course of the past 75 years. How did it travel halfway around the world? By ship or plane or both? And who carried it and how? In a coat pocket as a gift for a girl back home? In a cushioned box packed close among other heirlooms marking a family on the move? And what events of history was it involved in between the time it was made in Japan in the mid-20th century to the day it was discovered in the American South in a whole new century?
{SPECIAL FEATURES}
- Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous crazing - all over!
- Handpainted floral designs
- Embossed flourishes
- Colors include (berry, turquoise, mint, black, brown, marigold and teal against natural beige background
{CONDITION}
Two tiny (pin hole size) chips along inner rim near the handle. Crazing runs all over the interior and exterior.
Due to three hairline cracks in the bottom of the pitcher, this lady does contain a small, slow leak. While her days of holding onto liquids as originally intended might now be behind her, she would make a beautiful container for small plantings like succulents, cactus or air plants. In addition to plantings, she still has lots of life left in her for other purposes too including storage, presentation, and safekeeping.
Delicate but strong, this petite pitcher is ready for another 75 years of usefulness.
{SIZE}
Measures 3.5" inches (height) x 5" inches (width - spout to handle).
{STYLE IDEA}
In addition, to use in the kitchen, this pretty container can also move to other areas of your living space like the bathroom - where it could be used to contain cotton balls and q-tips or even your tooth brush. It could be office bound where it corrals pens and pencils or sit in the studio acting as a paint brush caddy. or craft supply organizer.