Antique Wood & Sons Oriental Birds 1 Litre Water Jug c.1920s – 16.5cm

A beautiful early 20th-century Wood & Sons Oriental Birds water jug, made in England and dating to around the 1920s.

This striking hexagonal jug combines an intricate blue transfer-printed design with hand-applied coloured enamel decoration. Two exotic birds perch among delicate branches beneath colourful flowers, creating the distinctive Oriental-inspired decoration for which this pattern is known. Specialist research records the birds in the Wood & Sons version as being hand coloured over the blue transfer. 

The Oriental Birds pattern was introduced by Wood & Sons in 1914 and remained in production until around 1924, possibly somewhat later. Although sometimes attributed to Wood & Sons art director Frederick Rhead, specialist research indicates that the design predates his tenure and was influenced by an earlier 19th-century Ridgway pattern. 

This particular large jug form is documented in the Lovers of Blue & White archive as holding 1.05 litres / 1.75 pints and measuring 16.5 cm / 6.5 inches high. 

The underside carries the distinctive Wood & Sons England – Oriental Birds backstamp with the bird and floral wreath.

Details

• Maker: Wood & Sons
• Pattern: Oriental Birds
• Date: circa 1914–1920s
• Made in England
• Large water jug / pitcher
• Capacity: approx. 1.05 litres / 1.75 pints
• Height: approx. 16.5 cm / 6.5"
• Hexagonal/faceted form
• Blue transfer decoration
• Hand-applied coloured enamel
• Oriental-inspired bird and floral design
• Printed Wood & Sons Oriental Birds backstamp

The pattern is now considered relatively difficult to find, particularly compared with some of Wood & Sons' more prolific designs.

Condition

Antique pre-owned condition with signs of age and use consistent with a piece approximately a century old. Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.