Our very handsome T G Green Cornish Kitchenware milk jug has a green shield stamp to its underside (see image) which dates it to 1930 - 50. It's a very pleasing object and a thoroughly useful friend in the kitchen - and in good condition, considering its many years of toil.  

History

The blue and white striped Cornish Ware by T. G. Green is recognised as one of the most classic and enduring designs of twentieth century kitchen pottery. Established in 1864 by Thomas Goodwin Green, when he purchased the Derbyshire pottery of Church Gresley, T G Green potteries started out by manufacturing utilitarian kitchen and table-wares for local demand only.  

The classic blue and white banded design was born as a result of the economic recession that followed the First World War. With factory workers in their white earthenware division down to a two-day week, further projects were urgently required. The result was Cornish Kitchenware, or Cornish Ware, as it became known.

The banded Cornish Ware was created by dipping the unfired pottery in blue slip and then turning each piece on a lathe to remove bands of the slip, revealing the white body underneath. A clear glaze followed to make them watertight and suitable for kitchen use. It was named after the Cornish clay that was used in the making of the first pieces, a set of E. Blue jugs in 1922. The clay was brought to Derbyshire, as it helped "stick" the blue slip, the range initially being called E. Blue - Electric Blue. The idea of blue and white stripes representing the Cornish seaside was only used in advertising from 1949, and is a purely romantic idea that it gave birth to the Cornish Ware name.

Year of manufacture: c.1930 - 1950

Manufacturer: T G Green

Origin: England

Material: Ceramic

Height 16cmcm  Diameter base 10cm  Diameter spout to handle 13.5cm  

Condition: some tiny nibbles and discoloration to the glaze around the rim