{"product_id":"wedgwood-black-basalt-milk-jug-with-silver-plated-lid-17cm","title":"Wedgwood Black Basalt Milk Jug with Silver Plated Lid, 17cm","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis striking Wedgwood black basalt milk jug (or small pitcher) is an excellent example of the firm’s refined utilitarian ware from the late 19th to early 20th century. Fashioned in Wedgwood’s famous black basalt stoneware, the body has a smooth, matte surface and a deep charcoal‑black tone that contrasts attractively with the cool metallic sheen of the silver plated lid.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe jug stands approximately 17 cm high to the top of the lid finial, giving it a tall, elegant profile suited to both breakfast and tea service. The form is deliberately simple and modern in feeling: a slightly tapering cylindrical body rising from a flat foot, with a neat projecting lip and a single incised line that encircles the jug just below the rim, providing subtle visual relief without fuss or ornament. This restrained modelling is very much in the Wedgwood taste, relying on proportion and material rather than elaborate decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe handle is a particularly attractive feature, formed as a twisted rope‑like strap that adds texture and a gently sculptural quality to the otherwise plain silhouette. It is well pulled and comfortable in the hand, with a solid attachment at both upper and lower terminals. The spout is carefully shaped with a pronounced beak, designed to pour milk or cream cleanly with minimal dripping.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe hinged lid is silver plated metal, likely original to the jug, and fits neatly over the ceramic rim. The lid is flat and circular with a shaped extension above the spout and a raised strengthening bar across the centre. A small mushroom‑shaped knop, probably bone or an early plastic\/ivorine, allows the lid to be lifted easily while serving and provides a pleasing light accent against the dark basalt body. The contrast of materials—black ceramic, silvery metal and pale knop—gives the piece a quietly sophisticated, almost industrial aesthetic that will appeal strongly to collectors of both Wedgwood and early modern design.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eCondition appears good for age and use. The black basalt surface shows light rubbing, minor surface marks and a few small scuffs to the foot rim, all typical signs of handling which do not detract from display. No obvious cracks, hairlines or restorations are visible in the photographs, and the handle and spout appear structurally sound. The silver plate to the lid shows some age‑related wear and light scratching, consistent with careful domestic use, but retains a decent, even tone. Overall, the jug remains very presentable and entirely usable if desired.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe base is unglazed, as expected for basalt stoneware, and carries impressed markings which are characteristic of Wedgwood production, though they may be faint from wear. Black basalt was introduced by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s and remained a signature body for the factory well into the 19th and early 20th centuries. Pieces such as this, combining high‑quality ceramic with plated metal fittings, were fashionable for hot milk, chocolate or coffee services and often accompanied matching teapots and sugar bowls.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\n\u003cp\u003eThis jug would sit comfortably in a collection of Wedgwood basalt, Georgian and Victorian tea wares, or alongside Arts \u0026amp; Crafts and early 20th‑century metal‑mounted ceramics. Its clean, architectural lines also make it an excellent choice for a more contemporary interior, where it can be used as a functional milk jug, as an unusual vase for a small arrangement, or simply as a sculptural accent on a shelf or sideboard. For dealers and online sellers, the 17 cm height, good antique condition and distinctive combination of black basalt and silver plate provide strong selling points and attractive display presence.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Moffitts Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53941512241436,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/moffitts.co.uk\/products\/wedgwood-black-basalt-milk-jug-with-silver-plated-lid-17cm","provider":"Moffitts Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}