Nelson and Tars': Two pearlware jugs, circa 1800
Inscribed in brown in a handsome script 'Nelson And (&) Tars' above a fouled anchor and flanked by a wheatsheaf and yellow and blue floral sprigs, with underglaze blue looped borders below the rims, 16.7cm and 22.8cm high (2)
Footnotes:
Sailors became known as 'Jack Tar' or 'Tars' in the 18th century, most likely because of their use of tarpaulins, a canvas tarred to make it waterproof which was used and worn aboard ships.

The larger jug: A section of the rim encompassing most of the spout have been broken and restuck, with a small, shallow loss near the base of the spout, as can be seen in the catalogue photo. An associated hairline to the right hand side of the jug stops above the floral sprig and another vertical hairline to the underside of the foot stops at the join of the foot to the body of the jug. There are two shallow chips to the underside of the footrim, which are only just visible when the jug is standing. Otherwise, the jug is in good condition and is free from restoration save for the section restuck, which has not been sprayed or overpainted. There are scratches and some abrasions to the glaze, but overall the jug presents well.

The smaller jug: There is a small, shallow infilled chip to the outside edge of the rim of the spout, as can be seen in the catalogue photo. There are two areas of restoration to the rim, which run approximately half-way down the body of the jug, and appear to be associated with vertical cracks. One area is to one side of the handle and the other to one side of the spout affecting the letter 'N' of Nelson. It is not possible to determine the extent of any damage this restoration might conceal but there is a very small and shallow chip to the inside edge of the rim most likely associated with one of these restored cracks. There are several very fine and short hairline cracks in the rim or body of the jug, none of which are significant. Otherwise, the jug is is good condition and the decoration remains well, with typical fine crazing to the glaze.