Spill Holder

Region Staffordshire (English, founded c. 1700)

Mediumearthenware

Dimensions8 × 4 1/4 × 2 5/8 inches (20.3 × 10.8 × 6.7 cm)

Credit LineGift of Nelda C. Stark, 1981

Object number41.35.55

ClassificationsHousehold Accessories

DescriptionOval shaped base; white ground; standing male figure; cobalt blue coat and pink pants; standing female figure; green apron; holding basket of flowers; tree shaped spill holder; orange glazed interior.

Label TextMiriam likely bought these porcelain figures during her travels in England and Germany. Classical and pastoral imagery like these were very popular at the turn of the twentieth century. The spill vases on display once held “spills,” small paper or wooden sticks used to carry fire from a fireplace to light candles or lamps. The classical figure wearing an orange robe was made in Germany by Meissen, the first company to recreate Chinese porcelain in Europe. Notice the rich attention to detail, like the faux marble painted on the figure’s pedestal.

ProvenanceProbably W.H. Stark [1851-1936] and Miriam Lutcher Stark [Mrs. W.H. Stark, 1859-1936]; by inheritance to their son H.J. Lutcher Stark [1887-1965]; by inheritance to his wife Nelda C. Stark [1909-1999]; gifted March 5, 1981 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to The W.H. Stark House

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