CLASSIC OPTIC BLOCK Antique Ironstone Small Pitcher Circa 1890

Classic Block Optic design white antique IRONSTONE SMALL PITCHER by J & G Meakin of Staffordshire, England, circa 1890.  The design features a squared-off look sometimes referred to as Mitered Block.

The pitcher is stamped with an early J & G Meakin mark, featuring the Royal Arms with a lion rampant. Above the Royal Arms are the words, Ironstone China and below is the location of the factory, Hanley, England.

The small pitcher is only 5" tall or 5 ¼" tall at the spout.  It is about 5 ⅛" from handle to spout.  J & G Meakin made the pitcher is several sizes and this is the smallest and normally most difficult to find. The pitcher is in excellent condition and free of chips, cracks, crazing, stains or discolorations.  A real showpiece that would make a great addition to someone's collection of antique ironstone or farmhouse decorating.

About Meakin Ironstone: The Meakin brothers, James and George, sons of James Meakin of Hanley, were master potters. In 1851 they opened a pottery firm to produce an inexpensive, plain, and durable "uniform hard white earthenware," called granite. After the end of the American Civil War, James, a shrewd businessman, saw potential in American imports. Within a decade, J & G Meakin had almost cornered the market of ironstone china in the United States. James Meakin passed his expertise on to his sons James and George, as well as sons Alfred, Charles and William. Moreover, James's son-in-law, Robert Johnson, was also a master potter, and it was his sons Henry, Robert, and Fred who established Johnson Brothers.