Antique pair Prattware terracotta Grecian urn shaped vases Smoking Turks pattern circa 1860 hand coloured & transfer printed by F & R Pratt Fenton

An antique pair of Prattware terracotta Grecian style urn shaped vases, decorated with a hand coloured polychrome enamel monochrome transfer printed pattern which has the name "Turkish Smokers" pattern. These red earthenware vases have been thrown and then turned on a lathe to give a very smooth crisp finish, which is exemplified by the small lip carrying the oak leaf border, below the shoulder and above the main pattern. The vases have a neat short round foot with an urn shaped body with flattened shoulder and short neck with an flared rim.

The decoration is a continuous pattern around the body consisting of a number of figures in various poses all in Turkish or Ottoman dress. There are a number of scenes: four figures around a tall stone water basin or fountain, some of whom are carrying water containers, jars or ewers.

A man wearing a turban apparently walking away from the fountain appears to be carrying a large water-skin on a strap over his shoulder, whilst Nubian woman is walking towards the fountain carrying a jug. These two figures are repeated on the other side of the vase.

A large well fed and well dressed man wearing a fez and a red cummerbund reclines on a pile of cushions on a large low stool whilst holding a hookah or pipe. A servant is attending to him and filling his pipe, behind this servant is another younger man carrying tray with a coffee pot and cup and saucer. The young man appears to be being remonstrated with by a bearded man. Between these two figures sits a large twin handled footed amphora.

There are three decorative bands of turquoise coloured oak leaf border pattern around the vases, at the rim, below the shoulder and on the base, each with additional lines of gilding. These are a relatively rare example of a pair of mid 19th century terracotta urns, vases or jars that date from around 1860, during the reign of Queen Victoria. 

There are no makers marks other than an impressed potter's mark T on both vases. Each have different decorator's painted marks. This pattern is attributed to Felix and Richard Pratt, Fenton Potteries, High Street East, Fenton, Stoke on Trent Staffordshire, England.

These lovely quality urns each stand 6 1/8 inches (15.5 cm) high. The body diameter is 3 1/2 inches (8.91 cm) and they weigh a total of 1113 grammes unpacked.   

They are in very good antique condition without chips, cracks nor restoration. There are some very minor marks to the black enamel ground. Very suitable for display or use. These are a beautiful pair to add to any collection of terracotta or small Victorian period vases, prattware or F&R Pratt items.

References

British Pottery an illustrated guide by Geoffrey Godden p 260.

The Transfer Ware Collectors Club database pattern number 15696.

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