Edward Pope Cranch (1809-1892) for Rookwood Pottery
earthenware Dull Finish glaze pilgrim flask with one of Cranch's incised stories, "Three Wise Men of Gotham Went to Sea in a Bowl", shape number 85
Cincinnati, Ohio, 1884
matte glazed ceramic
impressed factory marks and artist's name, incised number "56"
5 1/8"w x 2 7/8"d x 6 5/8"h

Catalog Note:
Cranch often borrowed from literature for his decorating ideas, taking scenes from the story of Isaac Broom, Joel Chandler Harris's Uncle Remus tales and, in this case, an early Mother Goose rhyme, which recounts how the people of Gotham in Nottinghamshire avoided the King's emissaries who came to arrange a visit from the King. This would necessitate building a public road on which the King would travel. The townsfolk pretended to be insane whenever the messengers were near to avoid any conversation about the highway. In this instance, the townsfolk float off in a bowl to avoid the King's emissaries.

Tiny chip on side of rim. No other chips, cracks, crazing or repairs.