A very large (approximately 10.5 inches high) saltglazed stoneware spirit flask moulded as the head of Souter Johnny wearing his floppy smoker’s hat. The spout/neck rim is located at the end of his hat and is open at a right-angle to the vertical. The main colour is a fairly dark tan with a darker iron stained brown hat. There is a hand-pulled handle at the back (i.e. not extruded or moulded but rather made by hand pulling). The salt glaze covers the whole flask including the flat base (which shows kiln firing scars where it was stacked on either circular kiln furniture or other pots). British.
Souter Johnny is the well known character from the poem by Robert Burns “Tam O’Shanter” published in 1791. He was Tam O’Shanter’s friend and drinking companion.
These very large Souter Johnny spirits flasks are paired with similar sized versions of Tam O’Shanter, and both occur in 8.5″, 10.5″ and 12.5″ versions, though all are scarce.
The final group image is for comparison only (with a standard size flask), the Mr & Mrs Caudle flask is not included here.
Pot ID: AP/704
Dimensions: Approx. 237 mm high (approx. 10.5 inches).
Net Weight (grams): 3006
Date: c.1840-1850.
Condition Report:
The base edge has a largish ship below and on the tip of his right collar. The base edge also has three more small chips. There are lots of manufacturing firing scars/touches and other marks which are part of the pot rather than damage.
