A copper lidded jug made by the Newlyn Industrial Class, circa 1900.

Believe it or not this is the first piece of Newlyn I have ever owned or handled. This is an early unmarked piece made by the Class at the beginning of the 1900s and featuring a repousse pattern of a seabird – a cormorant I believe – that would have been seen regularly from the fishing village of Newlyn. 

The jug is likely a hot water jug as there is evidence that the inside was tinned. It has a planished lid with a simple thumb lift. The handle has its original wicker binding. I liked this piece as it was in very original condition but that does mean that there a few issues – the lid does not sit perfectly flat and the wicker has started to unravel slightly at the bottom of the handle. The body of the jug has a planished finish and is in good condition with a nice patina.. maybe some loss of definition in the repousse work due to polishing. The pour spout is slightly misshapen. All easily fixed but I have decided to sell as found.

There is also what looks to be the remnants of a pen signature on the very bottom edge of the body which is, I’m reliably informed, quite unusual for Newlyn work as any signatures are normally found on the base. It is impossible to make out clearly but certainly looks to start with “J. P” which may be known worker, J. P. Cotton.

It was nice to finally have a close look at a piece of work by this well known Class.