Majestically slow before the breeze... – Sunderland
Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland Pottery
This creamware jug has a printed mark for 'Dixon, Austin & Co' underneath the masonic transfer. The partnership ran from 1818 to 1839. This jug likely from the early part of that period. The verse under the 3 ships reads as follows:
Majestically slow before the breeze
The tall ship marches on the azure seas
In silent pomp she cleaves the watery plain
The pride and wonder of the billowy main
Majestically slow before the breeze
The tall ship marches on the azure seas
In silent pomp she cleaves the watery plain
The pride and wonder of the billowy main
The plate below, with a Dixon, Austin & Co impress, has a trimmed down version of the transfer with just one ship.
The transfer below on a larger jug with an inscribed date, 1828. The enameller has touched up the transfer in places, most notably at the faded edges.
Below, two very large jugs of similar date with the transfer paired with different bridge transfers. The first jug with an inscription dated 1836. As with the items above, the transfer is signed by the engraver: 'Downing Sc' (Downing Sculpt).
This huge jug has a handle to aid pouring. A fourth ship has been collaged into the transfer.
This is a trimmed down version from the same copper plate as the transfers above, and is the only jug with a single ship that I've seen. It has a 'Dixon, Austin & Co, Sunderland' printed mark under the Farmer's Arms transfer, and an inscription with the date 1823.
Again, the trimmed down version of the transfer on what looks like the base of a sucrier, with a Dixon, Austin & Co impressed mark and an 1822 inscription.
Success to the Coal Trade – North Shields
Attributed to Carr & Patton, Low Lights Pottery, North Shields, 1838–1846 – plate 1
The central ship appears to have been copied by Carr & Patton in North Shields, and repurposed with the title 'Success to the Coal Trade'. The jugs below have a distinctive blue foot, which appears to be peculiar to North Shields during the 1830s.
The transfer also appears on the more common type of Carr and Patton jug. This one with an inscription dated 1840.
Attributed to Carr & Patton, Low Lights Pottery, North Shields, 1838–1846 – plate 2
A variation of the transfer without the title, attributed to Carr and Patton on three jugs from the early to mid 1840s.
Two larger jugs with red enamel decoration, and the North Shields' signature lustre decoration to the handle. The transfers are an inky black.
Majestically slow before the breeze... – Newcastle
Redhead, Wilson & Co, Forth Banks, Newcastle Pottery – 1833–1838
A Newcastle Pottery jug with the same verse under the ship.
Majestically slow before the breeze
The tall ship marches on the azure seas
In silent pomp she cleaves the watery plain
The pride and wonder of the billowy main
Majestically slow before the breeze
The tall ship marches on the azure seas
In silent pomp she cleaves the watery plain
The pride and wonder of the billowy main
All of these jugs pair the transfer with the Sailor's Farewell. Below a tall and brightly enamelled jug with the transfers.
The yellow band decoration is typical of Newcastle Pottery from the 1830s. Three larger jugs with the transfer below.
Finally, a fabulous punch bowl with similar decoration.
Image courtesy of Manchester Art Gallery