V Rare C1850 Worcester Jug Grainger & Co Pale Blue White Willow Gilded Buckle

This very rare and very pretty 19th century Royal Worcester jug is a stunning piece of history, featuring a beautiful Willow Pattern in immaculate PALE BLUE, white and gold. The jug has a round shape and is made of porcelain and ceramic materials. It is a genuine antique piece with an original chinoiserie style, created in England between 1850-1899. G. GRAINGER & Co. (This piece is unmarked to the base. I show a photo of the same jug in the dark blue Willow with gilded buckle handle with the Backstamp).

This listing is for the paler blue version of a Chinoiserie Willow pattern…..with a central tiered Pagoda Pavilion and garden setting with flowers, birds and bamboo border. The shaped BUCKLE SHAPED HANDLE is a stunning design masterpiece, gilded beautifully and left plain without printed decoration enhancing the the very decorative effect. This gives this jug a uniquely elegant look. The production technique used for this jug is the renowned WORCESTER PORCELAIN blue and white very rarely seen pale blue Willow Pattern with a Bamboo edge and tiered pagodas. This handmade jug's features make it a valuable addition to any collection and a perfect piece for decorative and useful use.

This particular estate find is EXQUISITE and in perfect condition. It looks like it was made yesterday rather than 150 years ago. This is a collector’s prize item as there is so little around of this pattern…but for that little piece of antique Worcester it is a stand alone piece, lovely to keep or give as a special gift.

MEASUREMENTS: Height 6.3” x 5” wide including handle and spout.

CONDITION: Excellent pristine antique condition without damage, blemishes, chips, crazing, cracks or loss of gilding. Please see all photos.

RESEARCH NOTES:

From George Grainger & Co 1870-1889

The Grainger’s Worcester Porcelain was established by Thomas Grainger (1783–1839), who was an apprentice at Robert Chamberlain’s Worcester factory with his partner John Wood. Set up as a rival porcelain company in rented property in Lowesmore, Worcester in 1801, like Giles and Chamberlain before them, they started by decorating blank porcelain made by other companies. By 1804 they were advertising the decoration of porcelain in local newspapers and had opened a shop in Worcester Forgate Street by 1806.

Grainger & Wood started to manufacture their own porcelain by 1807 and soon gained a good reputation for both useful and ornamental wares. Rich patterns such as Japanese style Imari and fine tea wares posed serious competition for the Chamberlain and Barr, Flight & Barr factories in the city. Some exceptionally fine flower and landscape paintings were also produced, usually on straight-sided mugs or classical vases. Following a factory fire in 1809 a new factory was built at St Martin’s Gate.

In 1839, following the death of Thomas Grainger his son George took control of the company and encouraged the production of elaborate ornamental wares. Grainger embraced the Neo-Rococo style in the 1830’s and 1840’s, producing a wide range of decorative vases, tea and dessert wares. Characterised by extravagant shapes, bright rich colours and scrolled gilding, this revival style was fashionable with up-and-coming industrialists who could afford to spend money on their homes. George Grainger & Co diversified their products, producing embossed tiles for fireplaces, unglazed china figures and door furniture. They were also successful with the development of Chemical Porcelain (for laboratory use) and Semi-porcelain.

Following the death of George Grainger in 1889 the Grainger factory was sold to Royal Worcester who continued manufacture on the St.Martin’s Gate site until finally closing the works in 1902. During the 1890’s the Grainger factory specialised in the production of hand painted pieces for display, richly jewelled pieces and ivory porcelain in a similar style to Royal Worcester. Grainger pierced wares were largely the work of Alfred Barry. Unlike the Royal Worcester pierced wares, Grainger designs tend to be curvilinear in style, with the holes following a set pattern created from the mould.

Many of Grainger’s work force transferred to the Royal Worcester factory in 1902 including the famous Stinton family of painters. Even in the early 21st century some of the moulds and designs from Grainger’s factory were still used by Royal Worcester.

Grainger, Lee & Co

Thomas Grainger and James Lee

1839-1889

George Grainger & Co

George Grainger

1889-1902

Grainger & Co.

Owned by Royal Worcester

Check for blemishes and cracks

If pieces claiming to be old Worcester have a crackle glaze, then they are fake, because the soapstone that authentic Worcester pottery is made from doesn’t craze (crazing being a glaze defect of glazed pottery, characterised as a spider web pattern of cracks penetrating the glaze and caused by tensile stresses greater than the glaze is able to withstand). Aside from the issue of spotting a fake, detecting surface cracks and imperfections will help you to judge the value of a piece too. Remember too that a plate with a crack will sound different to a plate that has had no damage at all, when tapped against your hand for example.

If you need further information please do not hesitate to message me…..

PLEASE READ:

I try to describe all the items as accurately and as honestly as possible, and I always include photos or scans of the actual items.

Anything major such as cracks chips or major loss of gilding etc will be pointed out in the description and shown on the photos

If you are still unsure as to the condition etc. please ask questions or request more photos BEFORE bidding or buying.

DISCLAIMER:

My items are usually vintage or antique, very rarely new, and condition will sometimes reflect this with minor marks, wear on gilding etc.

***Please keep in mind, I am not an expert, but an enthusiastic collector. I do my best to research the item and its history and pass that information on to my customers, you can google items and find the same information I do. If you know anything of interest that I have not included I am always interested to learn. Vintage or pre-owned items will often show some signs of wear due to their age, and there may be something I overlooked. There can be naturally occurring manufacturer's defects, slight surface scratching, or wear consistent with normal use. Any condition outside normal vintage wear, like chips or cracks or serious defaults, will be noted.***

POSTAGE:

International buyers please note:

N.B. The Global Shipping Programme does not allow sellers to send combined purchases as one item, but you can, if you require more than one item put them in your basket to achieve a joint invoice. For multiple purchases please contact before committing to buy, to make sure the items can be sent in the same parcel.

SECURITY:

For buyer and seller protection , please be aware that sometimes there might be a gold security disk, especially on glass, to prevent a scammer claiming breakages etc, all items must be returned for scanning. If you require more information, please do not hesitate to message me.

There may be a removable security label for ease of identification - returns not accepted if removed.

GLOBAL SHIPPING:

I only send overseas via the EBay Global Shipping Programme (GSP). Please note that I have no control over what Ebay charge for this service, so please make sure you are happy with the price before you bid or offer for the item.

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