Help to ID.
 

I have a small pottery container shaped like an upturned top hat. It has a lid with a bird finial. Written across it is " A PRESEN. FROM ACCRINGTON. TO W. HOLDEN AUG. 1909." I have no idea what it's history is so I googled Accrington and here I am.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/etdesoto/12335846835/


Not sure if I have done the picture link correctly.

Any ideas what this might be? Thanks for your help.

Re: Help to ID.
 

Suggest you have a chat with the museum/historian folks, they're probably your best option.

Re: Help to ID.
 

Will send the photo to Accy library and see if they can help

Re: Help to ID.
 

Hi will try and explain the pot to Accy Library, and see if they have any suggestions. Have to admit, never seen one like it before. Is there anything written on the base?

I have to say, my first thought is it doesn't look the type of pot from 1909, or should I say, the writing doesn't seem correct somehow.

Re: Help to ID.
 

I'm no expert on antique pots, but from what I see I don't think it's very old in spite of the date '1909'. Does the lid go deep inside the pot? If so, it could be a butter bell, or French butter dish. This is something made quite regularly by modern day studio potters. The clay body looks like agate ware (a mixture of a light and a dark coloured clay - the swirls are formed during the wheel-throwing process). A curiosity!