Splendid Samuel Alcock Flower Encrusted Jug c.1850

Significant porcelain, flower encrusted jug produced at the factory of Samuel Alcock in Stoke on Trent around 1850. A jug of this design was exhibited by Alcock at the Great Exhibition of 1851. A Parian ware version of this piece is occasionally available, but this flamboyant version is rarely found. Moulded with a fluted body in dark blue, the neck decorated with applied flowers all hand-painted in bright, naturalistic enamel colours and adorned with bunches of gilt grapes and with an arching, twisted gilt handle. The whole raised on a white and gilt scroll base. This piece is unmarked, but it should be noted that the base is decorated unusually, with grey marbling.