This lovely Spanish Majolica jug is a well-loved antique from my small collection. It was made to celebrate the coronation of Ferdinand VII in 1808. And as you can probably see by its condition, it's in a terrible state. I have always imagined that some anti-Royal threw it against a wall in disgust! Luckily someone saved the bits, and glued them together again. I acquired it back in about 1967.
I am not learned enough to know whether he was a good king or not, but all kings have both their supporters and detractors.
I do know that he had four wives, most of whom were immediate family members. Firstly he married his 1st Cousin Maria Antonia, then his Niece Maria Isabel, then he ignored family and married Josepha Amelia, then finally another Niece by whom he had two daughters. It all sounds rather shocking these days but maybe 'keeping it in the family' was more important in those days.
I've found very similar commemorative jugs on Google images, and (in perfect condition) they sell for 4 figure sums. Sadly mine is worthless, other than as what is called 'an example'.
Perhaps I should take a trip to The Repair Shop over the border at Singleton in W Sussex, and have some clever person repair it for me. Although I doubt if they would, as there is no weepy story involved.
Once upon a time I asked my mother why our new neighbours' two girls (roughly my age - about twelve or so) were so dumb. "What do you expect", she said by way of her take on inbreeding.
ReplyDeleteU
It's the six fingers on the right hand that gives them away.
DeleteHmm, such a handsome chap, judging by that image of him. No wonder he was so popular with the ladies . Or was that just because he was King?
ReplyDeleteAs well as threatening to cut their heads off, I expect.
DeleteYou definitely need a sob story if you want the repair shop to mend anything for you. We have an old clock that needs mending which does have a bit of a story to it but it doesn't make you cry so I would be rejected ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI suppose I could make one up!
DeleteI have a rather wonderful collection of "shelf pieces" that have suffered over the years the indignity of being knicked, chipped, cracked and crazed. A few jugs were skillfully repaired using iron staples. Tea pots suffered the most with chips to the spouts and cracks to the lids caused by some careless person who didn't hold on to them when it was their turn to be "mother". Butter dishes suffered discoloration from the years of use and butter fat. We won't talk about the chamber pots and slop jars of olde except to say dried flowers do wonders for a cracked pot. I found them in the back rooms of shops often along a quite country Lane in a sleepy little town in the Mid-West of the USA. Placed "just so" on a shelf in a secretary or bookcase you would never know there was anything wrong with the piece. You've got a right handsome old cracked jug there that you seem to display well in your home. There is a joke about an old cracked pot in this somewhere but I just can't make it come together. LOL. Cheerio!
ReplyDeleteI once knew an antique dealer in London who'd had an order for 300 antique 'Chamber Pots' from an American dealer. The American planned to sell them as Punch Bowls. When the dealer had very nearly found all 300, his contact in the USA died, and he was left with a cellar full of potties. That's life!!!
DeleteSome things are treasures and even glued together are precious to us. I have a couple of things, not as old as yours. I enjoy seeing them on the shelf
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew how to repair it myself, but I'm afraid of making it worse.
DeleteObjects tell great stories, if we look and listen.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew what had happened to this one.
DeleteMarrying inside families was common at one time. Your commemorative jug is unusual. As you say, it must have a story.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been a museum piece if it were perfect. Shame!
DeleteDisplay it in a glass case like it is worth a million then wait for the questions.
ReplyDeleteEven though it's probably worthless, it is still well loved.
DeleteInteresting what you say about The Repair Shop Cro. I so admire their expertise but fiind the weepy side of it awful so don't watch it.
ReplyDeleteThe emotional side of the show now seems to dominate. I still watch it occasionally for the craftsmanship.
DeleteI agree that the emotional side of every case is just a bit too much. By the way thanks for your post of Sunflower oli. I don't use it. I use rice bran oil, Scottish rapeseed oil or olive oil but I'm now going to check out how the rapeseed oil is produced. I'm already well aware that a lot of 'virgin' olive oil is adulterated but my palette isn't keen enough to distinguish the subtle difference.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm aware, Rapeseed matures well by itself. It needs no help from Monsanto.
DeleteYou could just make up a weepy story for "The Repair Shop". Practise it in front of a mirror. As for Ferdinand VII, he looks like a cartoon character! Mind you, I am often told that I look like Bluto from the Popeye cartoons.
ReplyDeleteI've seen several pukka portraits of him, and they're not at all flattering. The odd one makes him look like a dashing hero, but mostly they make him look bonkers.
DeleteI don't see why someone wouldn't repair it properly for you, it might cost a few Euros more than you think, but it would look better. Your other option is to put it back in the cupboard you took it out of and leave it for the next generation.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll take the pauper's option and go for the latter.
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