This item has been sold, and the description, image and price ($US) are for reference purposes only.
A creamware tankard and tea Cannister, circa 1790-1800, the tankard decorated with an unusual masonic scene and bearing the signature of John Aynsley of Lane end. The tea cannister decorated with a courting scene to one side and family scene to the other, signed by Thomas Fletcher. The whole topped with a metal lid. The John scarce collection, the tankard 4.72 in. high and 4.53 in. wide (including handle). The cannister 4.45 in. high

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  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
  • Creamware - Creamware, also known as "Queens Ware" is the

    cream-coloured English earthenware developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s.

    The invention of creamware was the result of experimentation in order to find a

    British substitute for imported Chinese porcelain, and the cream colour was

    considered a fault at the time. The lightweight fine white earthenware with a

    clean rich yellowish proved ideal for  tableware

    and decorative items during the 18th and 19th centuries and is still produced

    today.



    Creamware is made from a

    mixture of kaolin, feldspar, and ball clay, and is typically glazed before

    firing to give it its glossy finish. It was developed by British potters as a

    cheaper alternative to porcelain.



    At Wedgwood, Royal patronage

    boosted sales. In 1765 Queen Charlotte, the consort of King George III placed

    an order for a 12 place tea set and allowed Wedgwood to use the name

    "Queens Ware" for the line. In 1770 Wedgwood produced a creamware

    dinner service of 952 pieces supplied to Catherine II the Great of Russia.



    Other potteries such as

    Doulton, Neale & Co. and Spode produced smaller quantities of creamware.



    Creamware continued to be

    made throughout the 19th century and later.

This item has been included into following indexes:

A creamware tankard and tea Cannister, circa 1790-1800, the…