Object number
60/146
Exhibition
Description
This harvest jug, referred to as the 'barley mow jug', is an example of Barnstaple ware and was made in 1838. It is an earthenware jug with sgraffito decoration showing a compass and a cock with a floral motif and a yellow glaze. The jug is also inscribed with a verse and signed 'August 1838, John Prouse, Hartland'.
Physical description
1 jug: earthenware [red], has greenish brown and yellow glaze; good condition
Label Text
HARVEST JUG // DETAILS // Categories A Year On the Farm // Theme(s) Arts and crafts, Farming and agriculture, Food and drink, Weather and environment // Collection Ceramics // Date 1838 // Object number 60/146 // DESCRIPTION // This jug was made for the boozy celebration which comes after a successful harvest. The baking sun sits smiling at the centre of a mariner’s compass on one side, a fitting design for a jug made in the seafaring county of Devon. The varying hues of orange and yellow are rooted in the spent soil and blazing skies of a hot summer’s day. // On the opposite side a cockerel sits among flowers, and the zigzag decoration around the neck of the jug is typical of Barnstaple Ware. The designs are all scratched into the glaze, a technique known as ‘sgraffiato’. // On the back of the jug there is this verse: Harvest is come all // busy now in making // of the Barley mow if // you the Barley mow // neglect of Good ale you // can not then expect // August 1838, John Prouse, Hartland
Archival history
Inscription – ‘Harvest is come all // busy now in making // of the Barley mow if // you the Barley mow // neglect of Good ale you // can not then expect // August 1838 // John Prouse // Hartland.’, MERL ‘Associated information’ form – ‘Barnstaple Ware with typical colouring and sgraffiato decoration. A ‘Harvest Jug’ Red earthenware. // Good example of this ware in Barnstaple, Bideford and Exeter Museums. // A mariner’s compass, a common decorative feature of this ware, appears at the side of the handle. // The zigzag decoration round the neck and the coil of clay at the lower attachment of the handle are characteristic of this ware. // A cock with floral motifs balances the compass on this side.’
Production place
Barnstaple
Production date
1838 - 1838
Object name
Material
Technique
Dimensions
- Height 241 mm
- Width 222 mm
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3288.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3289.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3290.tif - High resolution image
