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Wednesday, 7 October 2009

ABC Wednesday - L.


L
is for
LUSTRE-WARE
(or luster-ware if you live in the USA)

Pottery was glazed with a metalic finish, and this became popular in well-to-do houses. Displays of lustreware jugs brought a glow to a farmhouse dresser. Sometimes the technique was used to give a mother-of-pearl quality to the item.
Wikipedia has an article here.


I think I posted this jug last year some time. It was made in a local pottery, most likely Llanelly, and bought for me by my grandfather when I was a small baby. It's probably quite valuable now - but it's certainly not for sale!

I've shown this pie funnel before, as well. Although it's old, it's a relatively recent acquisition. Pie funnels were used to keep the piecrust from sagging into the filling, and to let the steam from the cooking escape. The ones I grew up with (which were still used at times) were much plainer items than this gorgeous copper lustre dragon!

This is an example of the mother-of pearl lustre. It's a fascinating fish-shaped jug (the tail is the handle.) The fascinating part is that it's a gurgle jug. The hollow of the jug goes right round into the tail/handle. When liquid is poured the displaced air makes a gurgling sound. I have to say that it doesn't pour all that tidily, but it's fun!

Denise started this great theme over two years ago.
Many more L posts can be found through the ABC Wednesday page.

14 comments:

CherryPie said...

I love that pie funnel :-)

Katney said...

I don't understand the pie funnel. How does it work?

kml said...

The fish jug has the most beautiful finish - it must look really pretty when the light is hitting it just right!

Nydia said...

YOu have such beautiful pieces at home, darling!

Kisses from us.

~JarieLyn~ said...

These are gorgeous. I love the jug. It's quite luxurious. Great photos and great story about your grandfather buying the jug when you were a baby.

Betty said...

Those are very interesting and pretty. I like the gurgling fish.
The only pie funnels I have seen are shaped like black birds.

Carolyn Ford said...

Wow! "Luster"...I wouldn't have thought of that word! Perfect choice and really nice photos!

Anonymous said...

More attractive on the shelf than a Gurgling Worm.

Jay said...

I never used to like lustre ware, but as I've got older and more appreciative of other older things, I find I love it! My favourite is the pie funnel but the jug is very sweet, and lovely to have as a gift so young. The gurgle jug .. my mother had two of these, and loved them, but alas, they were so attractive to the kids to play with, they both got broken.

Daryl said...

My sister bought a black bird pie funnel .. she doesnt bake but she said she couldnt resist!

Love that fabulous old jug

James Higham said...

They're not dragons, DD.

Tumblewords: said...

Luscious pottery! Always enjoy my visit here!

Roger Owen Green said...

lovely, luxurious.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I love lustre ware. I have a similar jug.