Large Antique 19th Century Etruria Pottery Pitcher

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Excellent antique Etruria pitcher, 12 inches tall with polychrome glazing (including a stunning dark blue) and over-glaze gilt decorations. In … Read more Excellent antique Etruria pitcher, 12 inches tall with polychrome glazing (including a stunning dark blue) and over-glaze gilt decorations. In excellent condition, has a crack from manufacturing process (drying) inside base but this hasn't impacted the piece otherwise.
On the bottom is an underglaze stamped red wreath mark with crown inside, the word Etruria and a faint letter C. Below this is an over-glaze marking, in gold reading 'A.02.'

This mark is somewhat obscure with several different interpretations. All the interpretations agree that this was made by an American firm, in Trenton, New Jersey and is not Wedgwood.

What is generally agreed upon is that this mark was used by one of the successor companies to Bloor, Ott & Booth, later Ott & Brewer (O&B), thence Cook Pottery Company (a.k.a. Etruria Mellor). In parallel at this time there was/may have been a separate decorating company of Brewer (Crown), Walter Lenox (Wreath) and John Coxon (the C) who painted on Ott & Brewer wares beginning around 1880.

Regardless, the most common dates for this mark generally fall from 1863 to 1894 (per Kovel's). There is also some thought that this mark might be slightly later, attributed to Charles Howell Cook, the owner of Etruria from 1894 through the early 20th century. Apparently Cook made wares for commercial/ institutional use and so the marks are not well represented in typical household wares.

Regardless this is a stunning large and unusual antique piece See less