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Ceramic Pot, Stoneware, Kolkata, West Bengal, Eastern India, c.a. 1850-1890.

REGISTERED ANTIQUITY – NON-EXPORTABLE ITEM.

 

Object Detail

 

This vessel, more precisely ‘chutney’ pot as inscribed, is crafted from salt-glazed stoneware, a pottery technique known for its durable, non-porous body and distinctive glassy finish created by introducing salt into the kiln during firing. The pot features a unique cylindrical shape with a slightly tapering neck and broad shoulders, while its wide mouth allows for easy filling of chutney. The jar showcases a monochromatic design with tones of brown, depicting a village scene where men are gathered around a roaring fire, diligently preparing chutney or similar preparation in large quantities. On the opposite side, boxes labelled “INDIAN CHUTNEY”, while one man is seen assembling jars. Near the rim of the jar, the word “chutney” is inscribed in three different scripts: Arabic, Bengali, and Devanagari. This multilingual inscription reflects the rich tapestry of linguistic diversity prevalent in Indian communities and highlights the localised branding that often accompanies even industrially manufactured colonial products.

 

With the arrival of British, specially after 1857 AD, these containers gained popularity by becoming more elaborate and enhancing the aesthetics of British dining tables. However, there is no evidence that chutney jars were made in India; they were produced outside probably and exported for storage. Crosse and Blackwell, a food manufacturing company from the Victorian era, specialised in making these kinds of pots. In 1840, they dispatched their first shipment to present day Kolkata.

 

Provenance

 

From a Private Collection in Mumbai, India.

 

Condition

 

Excellent overall Condition.

 

Dimension

 

 

Literature Comparison

 

1.Divya A, “London s Victorian-Era Pottery Find Unearths Tale of How Indian Food Became Popular in Britain,” Indian Express, January 17, 2017. https://indianexpress.com/article/research/londons-victorian- era-pottery-find-unearths-tale-of-how-indian-food-became-popular-in-britain-4480423/.

 

2.Peter J. Atkins, “Vinegar and Sugar: The Early History of Factory-Made Jams, Pickles and Sauces in Britain,”, accessed July 26, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236848458_Vinegar_and_sugar_The_early_history_of_factory- made_jams_pickles_and_sauces_in_Britain.

 

3.Victoria and Albert Museum, London, https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O150989/mustard-jar-wear- pottery-samuel/.

 

4.Very Rare Victorian Advertising Chutney Pot c.1890, Redeemed Vintage, accessed July 26, 2025, https://redeemedvintage.com/product/very-rare-victorian-advertising-chutney-pot-c-1890/.

 

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