Photo: Chronica Domus
Today, April 26, is National Audubon Day. It is the day that Franco-American ornithologist John James Audubon (b. April 26, 1785 d. January 27, 1851) is commemorated. Audubon is best known for his color-plate publication The Birds of America (1827 - 1838). The multi-volume tome is still considered to be one of the finest ornithological works ever published and contains 435 hand-colored plates of North American birds placed within their natural habitats. The illustrations are a feast for the eyes.
I'm sure many of you are familiar with Audubon's work, here is
"Blue Crane or Heron" from the book The Birds of America (1827 - 1838)
Early this morning, after replenishing the seed in the bird feeder which hangs from the pear tree in my garden, I thought I would mark the day by making a simple flower arrangement using an appropriately decorated vessel. Of course, as you can guess, the vessel is bird-themed.
The creamware pitcher I used was made in England during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. It is hand-painted using purple enamel (or would that be puce?), and silver lustre (or would that be silver resist?). There is some debate in the ceramics world as to when exactly it was that the silver decoration, commonly referred to as silver lustre, was first utilized by the English potteries and ceramics factories. In fact, it turns out that the metallic decoration is not derived from silver at all. While researching this post, I happily stumbled across an excellent and absorbing article published by Johnson Matthey Plc, found here. It details how platinum came to be used to mimic the effect of silver on these early ceramic pieces. And, although the label I found adhered to the base of my jug identifies it as having been manufactured between 1790 - 1800, the Johnson Matthey article states the first use of "silver" decoration began slightly later in 1805. It was John Hancock of Hanley in Stoke-on-Trent who invented the lustrous decorative glaze while working at the Spode factory.
The label on the underside of my jug reads "Leeds: Resist Lustre Period 1790 - 1800"
Photo: Chronica Domus
This type of decoration is known as silver lustre or more accurately as silver resist or steel resist lustre and is achieved by painting the design - in this case the foliage - with glue and a glycerin or honey mixture which is washed away after the jug has been dipped in the platinum lustre prior to firing
Photo: Chronica Domus
Another view of the silver resist and purple (or puce) enamel decoration
Photo: Chronica Domus
I purchased the jug from an antiques shop one day while visiting my husband's uncle and aunt. The shop is but a short distance by car from their house. I happened to spot the jug sitting in a locked glass case in the back of the shop. The dealer who opened the case for me made it impossible to walk away empty handed. "I've had this jug for ten years and I want it to go to a good home" he said. "If you like it, I will sell it to you for half the sticker price". What the dealer did not know was that I had every intention of buying his lavishly decorated jug as not only did I find the piece to be rather pretty, but it was also in excellent condition with not a crack, chip, or nibble to be found upon it. Frankly, I was astonished it had languished behind glass for an entire decade. The dealer's offer certainly sweetened the deal and I am thrilled to have added the pitcher to my ever-increasing ceramics collection. Below is an almost identical one sold at auction six years ago.
Here's a mate to my jug, sold at auction in 2012 and described as a silver resist lustre
Leeds "songbird on a fence" jug, circa 1810 - 1815
Leeds "songbird on a fence" jug, circa 1810 - 1815
Before I get too carried away with the details of the vessel's decoration, here it is in situ, in our drawing room. It holds lusciously dense panicles of lilac, the color of which is almost indistinguishable to the painted song bird decoration.
An arrangement of lilacs in celebration of National Audubon Day
Photo: Chronica Domus
John James Audubon 1785 - 1851
by John Syme
Within a few minutes of stepping into my own garden this morning, I have already heard the squawking of a Scrub Jay, the gentle cooing of a Mourning Dove, and the buoyant chirping of a multitude of Sparrows. What a joy and a privilege it is to experience such an agreeable nature-borne melody. Do please tell me what birds you might happen to hear singing in your garden today.
