Antique 1870 Commemorative Small Portrait Earthenware Jug of Charles Dickens

This rare antique portrait jug is a significant piece of Victorian literary memorabilia, featuring a high-relief, double-sided bust of the legendary novelist Charles Dickens. Originally issued in 1870 to commemorate the author’s passing, this specific design was later celebrated in the June 1911 edition of The Graphic as a cornerstone of "The Dickens Cult Expressed in Earthenware." The jug depicts Dickens in his iconic later years, with his distinctive beard and features rendered in crisp detail across both sides of the vessel.

Crafted from fine earthenware with a lustrous cream-colored glaze, the creamer stands as a testament to the high-quality relief-molding techniques of the 19th century. The sculptural quality of the piece is particularly striking, as the author's hair and beard flow seamlessly into the decorative scrolling of the base and handle. The glossy finish highlights the depth of the molding, making it a standout display piece for any bookshelf or china cabinet.

The condition of this 150-year-old piece is remarkable, retaining a vibrant sheen and sharp facial definition. While it shows the authentic character of an antique—including a clean, unmarked base and the subtle variations typical of Victorian pottery—it remains a sturdy and well-preserved example of commemorative art. It is a sophisticated find for collectors of Dickensian history, English earthenware, or unique 19th-century portraiture. No notable chips, cracks or breaks. The graphic provided in the last two listing photos is for information only and not included in the purchase.

Measurements (approximate - rounded to the nearest quarter inch):
5 inches in height
2.75 inches in diameter
4.5 inches wide (spout to handle)

All sales are final so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions prior to purchase. Other objects found in the listing photos are for decorative use only and not included in this purchase.

VINTAGE & ANTIQUE
Vintage and antique items are pre-owned and aged goods. In most cases, we do not clean or polish any items that come into our shop. Once you remove an item's traces of age and patina it's not something you can reverse, so we leave those activities up to the buyer. We do not disassemble found art from their frames unless it is necessary to differentiate a print from an original piece of art. Vintage prints purchased from this shop could originate from any print media (e.g., magazines, books, photographs, art prints, etc.). We try our best to describe items accurately and disclose any and all flaws and imperfections. Please refer to pictures as a visual description. We want to make sure you are happy with your purchase so, please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have prior to checkout.

SHIPPING
As much as possible, we utilize recycled shipping boxes. The box you receive your item in may show signs of wear and pre-use.

PHOTOGRAPHY
All photos are taken in natural light and we do not use any photo filters and do not perform and photo editing (other than basic photo cropping). Depending on your monitor settings, there may be subtle differences in color once you see your item in person.