These two are very rare octagonals and although they have the same shape there are differences. Besides the size difference, the larger tea caddy has the rain cloud border both on the top and on the top of the base. The smaller one only has the rain cloud border on the top and has 4 flowers on top of the base.
We have divided the Cider Jugs or Flagons into three categories: two tall categories (the rarer spout cover variation is discussed here) and the shorter squat ones. These are magnificient forms with exquisite detail and dark blue color. Note the elaborate twisted handle and its attachments and the very carefully done borders. Look at the closeup picture of the borders on this jug, its elaborateness indicates it might be the earliest of all the cider jugs. See the well done Foo Dogs.
Another possibly uniquely shaped vase is this Scallped Rim Vase. This beautifully proportioned, petite 4 5/8" tall vase has 8 shallow scallops on the rim. Very nicely decorated with a deep blue color. The rain cloud border is around the top of the vase. We have never seen another example in collections or in Canton books.
Bough Pots are vases that hold cut flowers. They are very rare and, unfortunately, we do not have a picture of an original one or know the exact dimensions of them. However, a picture of a pair is on page 241 of Herbert Schiffer's 1975 book. The bough pots have a flared top with a square middle section on a stepped base. They are very elaborately decorated with Canton scene panels on four sides and rope like twisted handles on two sides. There are berries or buds on vines all over the pots.
This unusual and beautiful 5 1/4" tall vase form is, we believe, unique. It has a 5/16" wide brass band around the top rim. What is missing from the usual Canton pattern is the rain cloud border but it does have the usual XXXXX band around the top. Possibly, but not probably, the rain cloud border might be under the brass band? A wonderful piece and a very important form in the Canton Museum!
A very rare Canton form known as a Moon Vase/Flask or Pilgrim Vase. This beautiful Moon Flask has a rich blue color and the typical Canton scene on each of the sides but instead of the usual rain cloud border it has a Greek Key border around the neck's top. The ends of the flask are embellished with trailing vines as well as various objects below the handles all of which do not appear on other Canton forms. There is also an interesting, applied triangular motif just below the arched handles. Each side has a mirror image of the Canton scene. The 1 1/8" high base of the vase is quite small and makes the vase top heavy and a bit precarious.
It is the lucky Canton collector who can add an Umbrella Stand to their collection. They are an especially useful form to keep by the front door! However, for safeties sake, we recommend putting a piece of cardboard or hard foam in the bottom to cushion the umbrellas and you might place the stand in a corner with a tiny nylon strap around it to prevent tipping over. The stand, being guarded by our Molly, is 8 7/8" in diameter and 23 3/8" tall and weighs a hefty 18 lbs. 11 oz. There is no decoration inside and although the bottom has a rim, the bottom is unglazed. The top rim is rolled over. The side is decorated with one very large Canton scene. The rain cloud border is at the top and there is a single blue circling line about 2 1/2" down from the top. Also, 1 1/2" from the bottom are two circling lines. We point these characteristics out as there are at least two other umbrella stands with different decorations. The next picture shows two stands together. On the left is the aforementioned stand and on the right is an example with quite a different decoration at the bottom. There are Acanthus leaves pointing downward whereas it would seem natural that they should be pointing upward. The top rim is not rolled over but goes straight down as you can see in the next picture. In the next to the last picture, there is an umbrella stand with a 3rd different decoration at the bottom. This stand appears in Jane Wilson's 1977 booklet on page 24. She said: "...in very good quality with an unusual decoration." Unusual indeed as the bottom quarter looks like upright Domino chips ringing the base, a decoration we have never seen on any other Canton piece. In the last picture is an umbrella stand that is very similar to the Jane Wilson stand, it has the Domino decoration. Its dimensions are 9" diameter x 23 7/8" tall and it weight is : 19 lbs., 3 oz. Herbert Schiffer, on page 227 of his 1975 book has a very poorly decorated stand. However, on page 228 there is a very nicely decorated one he says is 24" high. Its decoration is very similar to the left stand in the two stands picture.
This is a magnificent soup tureen with stand and it is pictured only in Herbert Schiffer's 1975 book on page 222. The book's pictures show a sculptured, bulbous sided tureen with very unusual shell handles not seen on any other Canton form. The top with its loop knob has a wavy rim that fits into an inset wavy rim on the tureen. Also, very unusual is that the top has a ladle hole for a ladle to sit in. The top's rain cloud border goes up and around the ladle hole.
A very unusual and late manufactured tureen. This tureen is marked in large letters: "CHINA". Accordingly, it was made after 1890. It was not made to have a cover. Without a cover it is not very efficient in keeping soup warm. On the inside is the rain cloud border and the typical Canton scene in the bottom. Also, on the outside the Canton scene is on both sides. The most remarkable feature is its pair of handles. They are unlike any handles we have seen on Canton.
This is a unique and wonderful trifoil shaped Canton form. We believe it was designed as a tray for a tea set. The tray is large at 11 3/4" wide x 11 1/2" long and easily holds a teapot, sugar and a creamer (see the last picture). The teapot is the Lighthouse form with a curved spout and twisted handle, the sugar has twisted handles and the cream pitcher is of the narrow spout variety. This tray has a good orange peel surface and the bottom is unglazed.
