Copper, silver and gold lustre was a method of overlaying porcelains to resemble the more expensive silver and gold metal serving pieces of the period. Beautiful pieces were worked in porcelain and overlayed with a metallic finish. These have become collectible over the years, with the earlier representations enduringly the most popular. This pitcher likely dates from about 1865. Besides having a patterned body under the copper lustre, it is also overlaid with unfired blue trim. The overlay has been there long enough to suffer some loss, but not terrible. It is a very heavy-bodied pitcher which has a distinctly-oriental type of handle, almost like bamboo. A very unusual example of copper lustre, it is unmarked as to maker. It does have the following damages: a crack extending vertically on the interior of the pitcher immediately below where the handle is attached, which can be felt with a thumbnail. A chip under the lip on the exterior of the pitcher, which is shown in the photograph, measuring approximately 3/4" x 3/8" wide. ... [full description] |
