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This is a beauty of a wash bowl/basin pitcher set made with fine detailing and skilled craftsmanship. The large pitcher stands 11 3/4 inches tall and is 8 inches in diameter at its widest part. Embossed flowers, perhaps Morning Glories, vines, scrolls, curlicues, and beading enhance the pitcher along with a painted yellow floral and leaf design at center front.
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The accompanying wash basin measures 15 1/2 inches in diameter, is ivory in color, and has a scalloped and pleated rim.
Although unmarked, this wonderful set has the same embossed design as others found in antique store pieces carrying the C.C. Thompson Pottery name. A large number of their pre-1900 yellowware was not stamped or marked. This East Liverpool, Ohio company began its operations in 1868 with the production of Rockingham and cream colored Queensware or Yellowware. Warman’s Book of American Porcelain and Pottery describes Thompson’s richly embossed treatments on these pieces which were made through 1888 in greater numbers, and then gradually phased out in favor of semi-porcelain wares.
In over-all very fine condition for its 125+ years. Before running water became the norm, Victorian homes used the wash basin for personal care. Besides looking good, it had to perform and hold up to the harsh lye soap and hard water conditions for many years. There are issues we need to point out to you, and these do show in our pictures as well. The basin has both a small chip and tiny flake to the upper rim as well as chip areas under the base where the basin would have been set down on a table or bench. There are a few scratches at the inside bottom that have picked up discoloration. The pitcher has a chip on the inside near the bottom of the pour spout and some scratches down the inside wall.
There are watermark areas that over years seeped under the glaze in various places on both the pitcher and the bowl. The unglazed yellowware pedestal area on the pitcher shows such discoloration and there is some darkening of the glaze around the yellow flowers.
We don’t want to discredit the merits of this fine looking Victorian age basin and pitcher, only to give you the issues so you can make an informed purchase decision. The antique Thompson wash basin and pitcher displays well, and would add a marvelous accent to any Victorian or Early Americana décor. |
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