Thickly enameled floral sprigs are scattered over the smooth rounded form of this larger size Wedgwood "Club" shape jug. The shape was one used frequently by Wedgwood in a number of different clay bodies and with a variety of decorative techniques. In this example the brilliantly colored flowers of the "Chinese Flowers" pattern provide contrast to the plain matte Rosso Antico surface without obscuring the visual and tactile beauty of the red stoneware itself. Enameled black lines provide definition to the shape of the jug and its handle.

The floral sprigs are stylized in a manner derived from Chinese "famille rose" porcelain, reminding us of the strong Chinoiserie interest that coincided with Wedgwood's well known neoclassical productions.

Wedgwood took advantage of the pleasing contrast of shiny raised enamels against the matte surface of their stonewares throughout much of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The "Chinese Flowers" pattern was executed on black basalt, rosso antico, and--occasionally--on other stoneware bodies. The wares are frequently lumped together under the trade name "Capri," although that branding was not utilized by Wedgwood until after 1860, by which time certain changes in the nature of the decoration had occurred.

A smaller version of this jug design is also currently available from Seekers (5 5/8 inches in height). See final photo.