Sunderland Lustre Ware Jug

A nice Sunderland lustre ware jug dedicated to Robert and Margaret McKinzie, dated 1813. The jug also features a picture of the Iron Bridge over the Wear and a charming poem "Forget me not" on the other side. We think Mr McKinzie was a sailor as the rather unflattering portrait of Margaret is shown leaning on an anchor and gazing out to sea! Lustre ware pots were made by a number of potteries around Sunderland from the early 19th century but similar pots were also made in Staffordshire and Newcastle so the term Sunderland lustre ware is really a description of the type of pottery rather than a specific location. They are usually marked by a pink glaze as in this example.