A large hand-thrown antique terracotta pitcher from the West Country of England, likely used originally for cider or dairy on a farm. Probably dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, the body is unglazed, allowing evaporation to keep the contents cool, while the neck is finished in a pale cream-yellow glaze. The interior is glazed in a dark brown colour. A single strap handle with a thumb rest is pulled from the same clay and applied at the shoulder. This jug is typical of the region, and many later versions were made by the Brannam company in Devon as part of their Barum ware range. This example, however, is earlier, and the only mark on the bottom is two letters which look like D & P, and may be those of the potter. Today, this makes a beautiful utensils holder, a vase or, of course, a water or milk jug! Condition is good, with some loss of glaze and chips to the yellow rim, and all the marks and scuffs you'd want and expect from a household item of this age. There is also a potter's flaw on the base, with a dimp, probably caused when the pot was sliced off the wheel.

MEASUREMENTS
Height: 28 cm / 11 in
Width (widest point): 20 cm / 7.9 in
Base diameter: 11.5 cm / 4.5 in
Weight: 2.24 kg / 4 lb 15 oz