HELP IDENTIFYING A SMALL BLUE & WHITE DELFT PITCHER

[ptowner]

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

[587035]

I believe that maybe Greek instead of Delft.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/large-VTG-GREEK-SKYROS-Ceramic-vase-Blue-and-White-PEACOCK-Florals-Delft-St...

[587035]

Yours is probably a lot older than the one I showed, but I have seen much Greek pottery with the same types of peacocks and/or pheasants motif.

[argon38]

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?

[mrdutch1001]

Definitely NOT Delft. There are specific symbols that identify true authentic Delft.

[ptowner]

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!

[argon38]

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@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.

[ptowner]

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!

[leathernlace]

Another possibility is that the first letter, what you are calling a C is a (
The first part of the parentheses.

[janetpjohn_la]

Oh, ha, and theirs is a lamp base with that hole in the bottom.
Janet

[argon38]

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/ 

[argon38]

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@argon38 wrote:

Greg was absolutely right: it is ΣΚΥΡΩΣ (Skyros).

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Sigh... I still can't get it right.  I meant ΣΚΥΡΟΣ (Skyros), not ΣΚΥΡΩΣ.

[ptowner]

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

[argon38 · Accepted solution]

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@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

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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.