Rare Antique Doulton Lambeth Egyptian Revival Stoneware Jug with Lid c1890 Mint

Rare Antique Doulton Lambeth Egyptian Revival Stoneware Jug & Lid, c1890. This Royal Doulton Lambeth pitcher or jug and cover with its Egyptian Revival decoration is made of salt glazed earthenware, it comes with its purpose made cover made by renowned silversmith and silver plate maker, James Dixon & Sons. John Doulton and John Watts set up Doulton & Watts in Lambeth, South London, in 1815 producing saltglazed stoneware. John’s brother Henry, produced drainpipes. When John Watts retired in 1853, John and Henry Doulton joined forces and became Doulton & Co. Their production of art pottery started around the end of the 1860s. In 1878 the company bought an existing pottery works in Nile Street, Burslem, Staffordshire, to make pots for decoration at the Lambeth works. In 1901 they became Royal Doulton Ltd. During the first half of the twentieth century production of saltglazed stoneware diminished and finally ceased in 1956 when the Lambeth works was closed and all production was moved to Burslem. A very attractive salt glazed stoneware jug from the Doulton Lambeth factory, decorated in a rather uncommon Egyptian theme. A Pharaoh`s head forms the spout and the wings of a Horus spread either side to the bottom of the handle. These wings and all the figures in the central frieze are what is known as sprigged or sprigging. Clay is pressed into a shallow mould and gently teased out then carefully applied by hand to the body of the jug before the piece is fired and glazed. There are eight such items on this jug depicting Egyptians going about their daily activities. The majority of this magnificent piece is coloured in brown toned glaze and is decorated in the Egyptian Revival style with cream sprigged figures. There’s a Pharaoh’s mask modelled on the outside of the spout, and on the opposite end, at either side of the handle are the Wings of Horus. The pot has a wide band around the canter that is glazed in a lighter, tan colour and has hand applied sprigged or relief-style decoration. The wings and all the figures in the central frieze are what is known as sprigged or sprigging. The scene portrays Egyptian workers carrying all sorts of produce and goods to fill the “Pharaoh’s Tomb” in preparation for his journey into the afterlife. I believe this sprigged relief decoration is sometimes referred to as “Pharaoh’s Tomb”. This piece is guaranteed to be Doulton Lambeth. The cover was made by James Dixon & Son, Sheffield, it is a simple lid with a thumb plate to all ease of pouring and was designed to be a dust cover. The lid has been fixed to the handle of the jug by means of a rivet through the handle, the handle having been constructed to allow this. The lid appears to be pewter at a glance, when opened, the interior appears to be silver plate. I believe this may have been the original intention, as there is no evidence of silver plate remaining in areas you expect to find remnants. The jug is offered in excellent antique condition, there are some manufacturing imperfections that are common to this type of ware. There are no chips, cracks or crazing. There is some tarnish to the inside of the lid that can be polished. The jug measures approx. 21cm at the tallest point, by 18cm at the widest point. This is a very rare and collectable piece, a must for a discerning collector. Please see pictures for more details. I will pack and weigh the items together and get the best possible price that I can, sometimes weight or value might dictate that I send multiple parcels to get a better value for you.