Name/TitleCream Jug
About this objectThe donor remembers that her grandmother had a cream separator and used to make butter when she did not make cheese. The cream was sometimes sold direct as a perquisite. The donor was not sure whether customers were given jugs, such as this, containing cream, or whether it would be simply borrowed to take the cream home, and returned later.
The jug has a brown glaze on the outside and on the neck inside. The rest of the inside has a buff glaze.
Richard Hall, Research Volunteer:
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many farms, including the Abbots Hall estate, used to supply milk, butter and cream to the surrounding area. It is in this context that our jug is believed to have been used; either to measure out a supply of cream for a customer or simply as a returnable means of carrying the cream home.
This jug formerly belonged to Mrs Emily Munnings, the mother of Sir Alfred Munnings, the noted artist. It was used when Mrs Munnings lived at Mendham Mill in the latter half of the 19th century.
The jug itself was manufactured in London by the Dairy Supply Co, which began trading in London as the Express Country Milk Supply Company in 1864. It was established by Victorian entrepreneur, George Barham whose plan was to be the first company in London to bring in its milk supply by rail, from the countryside surrounding the capital, rather than relying on supply from London cows.
MakerDairy Supply Co. Ltd.
Maker RoleManufacturer
Place MadeLondon
Medium and MaterialsEarthenware
Inscription and MarksThere is a stamp on the base: ' DAIR(Y)/ SUPPLY CO./ LONDON.'
MeasurementsHeight: 9.5cm
Rim diameter: 5.5cm (inc. lip) This is crossed out in pencil
Depth(?): 90mm (inc handle)
Diameter: 66mm
Object numberSTMEA:76.A.79.12
Copyright LicenceAttribution - Non-commercial (cc)