Ceramic harvest jugs

Harvest jugs were manufactured between the 17th and 20th centuries, and were reputedly used to transport beverages to the farm labourers in the fields, or alternatively to hold and dispense beverages at a harvest festival. They are decorated with naive motifs such as animals, flowers, birds, and ships. The original jugs were decorated by scratching through a layer of slip when almost dry to reveal the contrasting body colour beneath. However in the Victorian era, the decoration was embossed (raised above the surface). Most frequently seen are the the two colour Royal Doulton harvest jugs, the upper section in a deep chocolate brown and the lower section of a light tan, often with sterling silver rims. Other Victorian manufacturers include Copeland Spode, Clarice Cliff and Wedgwood.