Description:

A molded earthenware pouch vase printed in blue with the Elephant variation of Buffalo pattern . This late 18th century line-engraved pattern has most of the elements of the popular Buffalo pattern except that the boy mounted on the buffalo is replaced by an enchanting baby elephant without a rider. It is rare for an early hollow ware piece like this one to be marked.  This pattern was also used by at least one porcelain manufacturer.  It can be found on a molded cabbage leaf porcelain jug attributed to Edward Blakeway and John Rose at the Calcut Chinaworks, Jackfield, Shropshire, c. 1794 – 1795.  An example of the jug is also included in this exhibit.  The fact that Elephant, Variation Buffalo was also printed underglaze on porcelain suggests the degree of popularity of the pattern in the last decade of the 18th century.  For more on Elephant variation of Buffalo, see the Northern Ceramic Society Journal pages 97-136, Vol. 29, 2013 for an article 'Animals on Printed Pots: Understanding the Role Animals Played in Early British Wares c.1790-1820' by Loren L. Zeller.