02-24-2020 11:37 AM
IS ANYONE ABLE TO TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THIS LITTLE PITCHER? AGE? COUNTRY? MAKER?
IT'S ABOUT 5 1/2" TALL AND HAS SOME AGE WARE. FROM THE WORN SPOTS IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S REDWARE UNDER THE GLAZE. THERE IS A SOMEWHAT BIRD IMAGE ON THE FRONT BELOW THE PINCHED SPOUT.
IT IS MARKED ON THE BOTTOM: "AN" THEN A LINE AND BENEATH THE LINE "CK[R?]YPN, THEN WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE OUTER SIDE OF THE PARENTHESIS, WHICH MAY BE AN "I". I HAVE SHOWN THIS MARK IN THE LAST PHOTO.
ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS! BILL
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02-26-2020 06:54 AM - edited 02-26-2020 06:56 AM
@ptowner wrote:Thank you both so much. Argon, you're amazing and I owe you one. I'm going to press my luck and ask one more question: any idea as to the age of this pitcher? It was a gift to me from an antiques dealer and I'd really like to know as much as possible about it. Many thanks again! Bill
Greg is the amazing one for solving it. All I did was (wrongly) question the solution! Unfortunately I'm not a pottery expert, so I'll have to leave the age question to others. I shouldn't think it was made yesterday, though.
02-24-2020 12:41 PM
I believe that maybe Greek instead of Delft.
02-24-2020 12:54 PM
02-24-2020 04:59 PM - edited 02-24-2020 05:01 PM
I am really puzzled by the word on the base. Skyros is a very logical suggestion, but when you look closely things don't quite seem to fit. The Greek name for the island is Σκύρος. I could understand C being used for Σ for effect (lunate sigma). But the third letter appears to be η when it ought to be ύ, and whatever the second-last marking may be, it's surely not an ο?
02-24-2020 05:05 PM
Definitely NOT Delft. There are specific symbols that identify true authentic Delft.
02-25-2020 09:42 AM
Thanks for all the help so far. This is what I think I've learned so far: this pitcher is faience, not delft. It would seem from your feedback that it is Greek. I viewed the maker's mark with a magnifier and still see the letters "AN" over a line and the letters CKYPN) on the bottom. there is a small chance that the second letter, the "K" is an "R" and a similar small chance that the third letter "Y" is a "U". It may been that the final letter which looks like the outside of the parenthesis may be half of an "O". Given that would the word "CRUPN + the half "O' mark makes any sense? The handle, which I didn't photograph is a double handle with a groove down the middle.
Any guesses as to the age of this piece or suggestions to where I might search further? Much appreciated!
02-25-2020 11:34 AM - edited 02-25-2020 11:39 AM
@ptowner wrote:there is a small chance that the second letter, the "K" is an "R" and a similar small chance that the third letter "Y" is a "U". It may been that the final letter which looks like the outside of the parenthesis may be half of an "O".
Are you able to post a really sharp, high-resolution photo of the base? The one in the thread is slightly blurry.
02-25-2020 12:20 PM
First of all, I really appreciate your help. Thanks! I am adding four more photos: 2 of the bottom, one with a flash, one without and 2 close-ups of the bird on the front of the pitcher. If this means anything to you, please let me know. Regards!
02-25-2020 12:29 PM
02-25-2020 12:41 PM
02-25-2020 01:59 PM
Greg was absolutely right: it is ΣΚΥΡΩΣ (Skyros). I was stupidly confused because I was thinking it was written in lower case, but it isn't - it's in block capitals. Compare the back of this plate:
https://vithoulkas-antiques.gr/eng_ver/shop/works-of-art/a-hand-painted-ceramic-plate-from-skyros/
02-25-2020 02:19 PM - edited 02-25-2020 02:22 PM
02-26-2020 06:38 AM
Thank you both so much. Argon, you're amazing and I owe you one. I'm going to press my luck and ask one more question: any idea as to the age of this pitcher? It was a gift to me from an antiques dealer and I'd really like to know as much as possible about it. Many thanks again! Bill
02-26-2020 06:54 AM - edited 02-26-2020 06:56 AM
@ptowner wrote:Thank you both so much. Argon, you're amazing and I owe you one. I'm going to press my luck and ask one more question: any idea as to the age of this pitcher? It was a gift to me from an antiques dealer and I'd really like to know as much as possible about it. Many thanks again! Bill
Greg is the amazing one for solving it. All I did was (wrongly) question the solution! Unfortunately I'm not a pottery expert, so I'll have to leave the age question to others. I shouldn't think it was made yesterday, though.