ANTIQUE DECORATIVE SPONGEWARE SERVING BOWL, 19TH C./ GREENS,BROWNS,IRIDESCENCE

Description

FEATURED:  An unusual and stunning embossed Nineteenth Century pottery serving bowl, with a superb mix of browns and greens splashed over the entire bowl, and what makes this so exceptional is the large amount of peacock-colored iridescent coloring that occured when the bowl was fired, adding a wonderful glow and fabulous coloring to the soft greens and browns underneath, and accenting the raised acanthus leaves wrapping this little beauty.  We were pretty speechless when we got this out of a dark cupboard and into good lighting, where it turned on its charm and we immediately fell in love with it.  In super condition, with only normal small crazing in the glaze from age and some gentle use, this gem of a bowl is a perfect example of how something so utilitarian and necessary in a kitchen can also be a prized piece on a shelf in an American Pottery collection!  We really admired its graceful raised decorations, which made it a step above the typical plain kitchen mixing/serving bowls, and then when its condition and that amazing glaze are added in, well, we felt it a really rare piece, something to be treasured as well as used, of course. We don't know who made this great 'big-little' 8 inch bowl, as it's not marked or stamped at all; we know there were many great American potteries over the decades who created things like this, but could not find it at all online, so it will remain a beautiful mystery piece for now. We do think it was made in the 1800's, judging from its glaze, shape and those stylized designs, and we are pretty amazed that it has survived to today looking as gorgeous as it does- no dishwasher for this little beauty, thank goodness!   We know that whether it is being used for food service, decoration, or as part of a wonderful Americana collection, it will offer a special charm and beauty that will delight its new owner for years to come!
MEASURES:  8 inches diameter, 3 3/4 inches tall; in very good condition, with no damage or issues that we could find, other than a tiny place near the rim where something rubbed against the glaze and gave that little area a slight  sandpapery feel (see the last photo).  This is a molded pottery bowl, ( no mold lines found, though)  with an elegant embossed decoration surrounding the bowl, and a simple foot to set it off just enough on a table and have us notice its flaring, traditional shape. The glaze, a simple greens and browns mix covering the bowl completely,  has gotten elevated to stunning by its peacock iridescent places on the bowl, which really make the embossed design stand out beautifully.  Is this splatterware? or Spongeware? Yellowware?  We couldn't sort that out with this- the glaze was all hand-applied for certain, of that we can be sure.   Maker and locale unknown, we believe this dates to the Nineteenth century, when these simply-glazed bowls were in many homes both in Europe and America, used daily for food service but also must have brought pleasure to the women using them in their kitchens and dining rooms. Just as it will continue to do so for its new owner into the future.  Wonderful to hold and use a piece of ceramic history,isn't it, and then to also enjoy it for its lovely beauty makes it a little treasure for your home- and you!
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