Pitcher, basin, and chamber pot, 1885-1895

Made by Alfred Meakin potteries, and Thomas Furnival & Sons potteries, Staffordshire, England
Tealeaf pattern
Molded ironstone, copper luster

Ironstone toilet sets and a wide variety of ironstone dinnerware were made in abundance by English and American potteries. This "white granite," or "thresher's china" as it was commonly called, was affordable and hardy and well suited to Illinois farm homes. It was very popular from the mid-1800s until around 1910, when many pieces were discarded or recycled as yard planters and watering pans for the chickens. Numerous remnants of ironstone are found today at archaeological digs throughout the state.

Pitcher, basin: Gift of Wenford and Nelda Highley, Springfield, IL (1980.24.5-6)
Chamberpot: Gift of the Condell Fund (1992.14.1)

Other | Ceramics

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96