A miniature Royal Worcester ewer by Charles Baldwyn, circa 1906, the ovoid ewer with a moulded neck and base in salmon, white and gold colours and featuring swans in flight through reeds upon a pale blue ground, signed faintly C Baldwyn lower left of image, puce backstamp underside with slightly rubbed date cipher, registration mark and shape number 1581, 6.30 in. high
- Oviform /ovoid - The outline loosely resembling the shape of an egg.
- Ewer / Pitcher - A type of jug with a narrow neck bulbous body and wide spout, originally used for carrying and storing liquids such as water or wine. In medieval times they were the source of water to wash ones hands during and after a meal. later the shape was used for vessels in silver, gold, glass and ceramics.
In Victorian times they were made in ceramics and occasionally glass with a matching basin, and sometimes other accessories such as a soap holder or toothbrush holder. Their purpose was to provide facilities for personal washing In the early 19th century were often enclosed in purpose built stands, and later resided on a washstand..
Sometimes the words "ewer" and "pitcher" are used interchangably, but a pitcher is generally considered to be a jug, and would have a wide mouth, and a gently tapering body.
- 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.
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