This article underscores the important issue of provenance – which means, basically, from whence an antique comes. I hear many fantastic stories about where things came from, and I hear similar fantastic stories about what people think things are. Today’s column deals with such fantasies!
Jefferson wrote me that his 100-year-old mother has a pitcher she inherited from her mother, from North Carolina. “Family lore,” he wrote, says his grandmother buried the pitcher in the yard to hide it from Union soldiers. Does a story of a provenance like this increase the value of an object? Yes, if the piece itself is significant and fits the story. No, if it isn’t significant and doesn’t fit the story. Let’s find out which case Jefferson’s pitcher falls into.
First, what is this pitcher?
Jefferson wrote that it has two tiny footprints in the underside of the base. Jefferson, they’re not footprints or maker’s marks. They’re marks from a tool used to separate items in a kiln when fired. This makes me believe the piece was definitely made around the time of the Civil War. Pieces didn’t come with marks at that time. Second, I believe Jefferson when he says his grandmother buried the piece underground. The pitcher shows crazing from moisture damage, as well as some hairline fractures. I also believe the family thinks the piece valuable, because I see earthquake glue on the base.
The piece is Majolica pottery, most likely made in the English factory of George Jones, late 19th century. Victorian Majolica makers discovered how to make water-absorbent earthenware watertight by using glazes of lead sulfides with metal oxides to create glazes of brilliant colors. If Jefferson’s jug remained buried for awhile, this explains the muted tones of once distinctive colors.
Don’t confuse Victorian Majolica with Renaissance Maiolica (12th-17th centuries) from the island of Majorca, located in the Mediterranean Sea. The technique is the same, the value is not. The technique rediscovered largely by Minton’s for the Great London Exhibition of 1851, when the ceramics became popular and copied. Majolica always carries naturalistic references of plants, basket weaves and gaudy colors. Jefferson’s pitcher is worth $300, $1,000 if in perfect condition.
Other Stories Involving Provenance
Rafael wrote me about a pure sterling silver cup with a Little Bo Peep poem written along the base. Rafael, this is a christening mug, something given and engraved to a newborn upon this ceremony in the Victorian times. The rich families gave sterling; the middle class gave silver plate. Rafael’s mug once base metal of mainly nickel and copper covered with silver-plate. We see the silver plate now worn off, which it does over time, with use and a little abuse. It’s only microns thick.
Rafael, your piece was made by Reed & Barton (still in business) in the last quarter of the 19th century, as it’s engraved: “Robert 1883.” Rafael’s mug is worth $75.
Finally, Paula wrote me about a punch bowl, porcelain, marked verso “T+V France.” This is in Limoges, which isn’t a factory, but a place. In that area of France once existed the factory called Tressemann & Vogt, which made highly decorated porcelain. Victorian fancy tableware always references what it intends to serve. In this case the punch will be derived from grapes and highly alcoholic, as we see the punch bowl decorated to expect such a drink. It comes with a stand with gilt accents to underscore its ceremonial importance – mutual drinking often was, and still is, a ceremony. I date the bowl to 1908. It is missing at least eight, probably 10, matching punch cups. Value with cups, $1,000. Value without cups, $400.
Victorian punch? Try this: Mix mint leaves, lots of rum (spiced rum and white rum), absinthe, grape juice, lime juice and bitters. Hangover to come.