Dunmore spill vase
Reproduction
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Object number19705.2
TitleDunmore spill vase
Creator Peter Gardner (manufacturer), Dunmore Pottery (manufacturer)
DescriptionThis wonderful pottery spill vase takes the form of Jin Chan, the Chinese three-legged money toad. He is a funny little figure, with bulging eyes and a wide mouth – but he means business! The money toad is associated with Lui Hai, a government official and alchemist in ancient China. Legend has it that Lui Hai befriended Jin Chan, who brought back a gold coin to him every time he jumped into a well. In Chinese culture the money toad attracts and protects wealth – if he appears at the full moon, you may be in for a windfall!
Spill vases, holding tapers (spills) made of wood or tightly curled paper, were usually found on the mantlepiece or near the range. The spills were lit from the fire and the flame used to light candles, lamps, pipes or the stove. A simple but effective way of transferring a flame before matches became affordable and commonplace.
Despite its exotic appearance, our three-legged toad is a local beast. It was made in around 1900 at a pottery on the Dunmore Estate near Airth by Peter Gardner (1835-1902). The Dunmore Pottery had been around since the late 18th century making bricks, tiles and domestic pots using clay dug from the land. Things changed when Gardner took over after the death of his father in 1866. He began to import fine china clays and started to experiment with different shapes, glazes and finishes.
His work soon became very popular – and very collectible. Queen Victoria was a patron and her son, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) visited the pottery while staying on the Estate. We are lucky to have numerous pieces of Dunmore Pottery in our collection.
Production placeDunmore
Production date 1900
Materialceramic
Dimensions
whole Height: 150 mm