John Meir & Son sauceboat, c. 1870, ‘Willow Pattern’

Small white earthenware sauceboat / gravy boat, printed in blue with a version of the ‘willow pattern’, typical for its orientalist motifs. The interior and the handle have a typical border. Marked ‘warranted staffordshire’ scroll mark, ‘j. Meir & son’ below, for john meir & son, greengates pottery, tunstall. Circa 1870. It has a small chip, the pattern on the handle is a little worn and the bottom of the sauce boat shows stains, all normal considering that it is more than 150 years old. 14.5 cm spout-to-handle, 6 cm deep and 8 cm high.