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ID #SA1235703
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George Gordon Morison's Haven Scottish Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister, C.1790
For sale by Ritas Bazaar
for sale €995     $1,080
£850

Ritas Bazaar

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George Gordon Morison's Haven Scottish Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister, C.1790

18th century
For Sale by Ritas Bazaar
Description

A rare late 18th-century Scottish pearlware tea canister, made at George Gordon's Pottery, Morison's Haven, Prestonpans, circa 1790. Gordon began production there in 1772; the separate Bankfoot works were acquired only in 1795, placing this piece within the earlier Morison's Haven period.

The canted rectangular body is boldly moulded in relief with the popular satirical "Macaroni" subject: a gentleman in an exaggerated high wig with his servant, and a similarly caricatured lady with her attendant. Derived from English fashion caricatures of about 1765–1790, the subject was adopted by several British potteries during the late Georgian period.

The rich Prattware palette of cobalt blue, ochre, green and brown is remarkably well preserved, with flowering side sprigs and blue corner ornament. Almost all of the original coloured glazes remain fresh and unfaded, clearly defining the finely modelled faces and costumes. Tea was a valuable imported commodity in Georgian Britain and was carefully kept in small dedicated canisters such as this one.

Dimensions: Weight 190 g; Height 12.3 cm; Width 8.6 cm; Depth 6.2 cm.

Condition: Very good antique condition. There are two small chips to the upper rim and a small loss of coloured glaze to the edge of the lady's nose. A fine hairline is visible around the lower rim; it is confined to the glaze and does not extend into the ceramic body. UV examination confirmed that there are no further cracks, repairs or repainting.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Shipping costs include handling, packaging and postage.

Physical Dimensions
Height
12.3cm (4.84")
Width
8.6cm (3.39")
Depth
6.2cm (2.44")
Declaration

Ritas Bazaar has dated this Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1235703
Dealers Internal Reference
B1878
Description
A rare late 18th-century Scottish pearlware tea canister, made at George Gordon's Pottery, Morison's Haven, Prestonpans, circa 1790.
“
Gordon began production there in 1772; the separate Bankfoot works were acquired only in 1795, placing this piece within the earlier Morison's Haven period.
Ritas Bazaar
fig 1. An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background.
fig 1. George Gordon Morison's Haven Scottish Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister, C.1790

The canted rectangular body is boldly moulded in relief with the popular satirical "Macaroni" subject: a gentleman in an exaggerated high wig with his servant, and a similarly caricatured lady with her attendant. Derived from English fashion caricatures of about 1765–1790, the subject was adopted by several British potteries during the late Georgian period.

fig 2. An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background.
fig 2. George Gordon Morison's Haven Scottish Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister, C.1790

The rich Prattware palette of cobalt blue, ochre, green and brown is remarkably well preserved, with flowering side sprigs and blue corner ornament. Almost all of the original coloured glazes remain fresh and unfaded, clearly defining the finely modelled faces and costumes. Tea was a valuable imported commodity in Georgian Britain and was carefully kept in small dedicated canisters such as this one.

fig 3. An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background.
fig 3. George Gordon Morison's Haven Scottish Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister, C.1790

Dimensions: Weight 190 g; Height 12.3 cm; Width 8.6 cm; Depth 6.2 cm.

Condition: Very good antique condition. There are two small chips to the upper rim and a small loss of coloured glaze to the edge of the lady's nose. A fine hairline is visible around the lower rim; it is confined to the glaze and does not extend into the ceramic body. UV examination confirmed that there are no further cracks, repairs or repainting.

fig 4. An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background.
fig 4. George Gordon Morison's Haven Scottish Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister, C.1790

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Shipping costs include handling, packaging and postage.

Height
12.3cm (4.84")
Width
8.6cm (3.39")
Depth
6.2cm (2.44")
Date of Manufacture

Ritas Bazaar has dated this Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1235703
Dealers Internal Ref
B1878
Ritas Bazaar
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2025
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Ritas Bazaar Profile Page

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An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background.
1 / 7
Archive I An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background.

George Gordon Morison's Haven Scottish Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister, C.1790

Archive II An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background. View II
Archive III An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background. View VII
Enlarged Archival View

Ritas Bazaar
Telephone 07434 626011
Location
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/ritasbazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
Items For Sale 258
Items Sold 46
Ritas Bazaar
Verified Since Nov 2025
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Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/ritasbazaar
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An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background.
George Gordon Morison's Haven Scottish Prattware Macaroni Tea Canister, c.1790
Ref: SA1235703
An 18th-century Prattware earthenware tea canister featuring relief-moulded depictions of two Georgian Macaroni figures in blue, ochre, and green underglaze glazes against an off-white background.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTea Canister
  • Period18th century
  • StyleGeorgian
  • MaterialEarthenware, Pearlware
  • ColourOff-White
  • MotifsRelief-moulded figures, Macaroni caricature, Chain link border, Arched shoulder
  • SizeH 12.3 cm (5 in) x W 8.6 cm (3 in) x D 6.2 cm (2 in)

Originating from George Gordon's pottery at Morison's Haven around 1790, this Georgian pearlware tea canister measures 12.3 cm high, 8.6 cm wide, and 6.2 cm deep. The earthenware body displays an off-white background with a rich Prattware palette of cobalt blue, ochre, green, and brown underglaze glazes. Relief-moulded figures depict two satirical Macaroni caricatures, accompanied by flowering side sprigs, a chain link border along the canted edges, and an arched shoulder with blue corner ornaments. Two small chips appear on the upper rim, accompanied by a minor loss of coloured glaze on the nose of one figure and a fine glaze hairline around the lower rim. Tea canisters of this period functioned as secure containers for valuable imported tea leaves kept in domestic interiors. Today, collectors place this item on a sideboard top or display shelf to introduce period character into an English country house interior. The object stands upright on a flat base, featuring a central opening at the top designed for a lid. The glazed finish preserves the distinct facial expressions and detailed costumes of the relief-moulded subjects without modern restorations.

FAQs

Prattware refers to relief-moulded earthenware produced in Britain between approximately 1780 and 1840. The style is named after the Pratt family of Fenton, Staffordshire, though similar wares were manufactured across England and Scotland, including at Morisons Haven.

These items are made from earthenware or pearlware bodies decorated with high-temperature underglaze oxide colours. The distinct palette is restricted to hues that could withstand high kiln fires, primarily cobalt blue, ochre yellow, manganese brown, and copper green.

Authentic pieces feature sharp relief moulding, a characteristic limited palette of high-fire underglaze oxides, and a bluish-tinted pearlware glaze where it pools in crevices. Flat or unmoulded surfaces and modern synthetic pigments indicate later reproductions.

Antique ceramic canisters are commonly styled on a sideboard top, mantelpiece, or inside an open display cabinet alongside period glassware and brassware. Their compact scale makes them suitable focal points for curated shelving compositions.

Dust gently using a dry, soft microfibre cloth or horsehair brush. Avoid immersing earthenware in water or using harsh detergent, as unglazed foot rims and age crazing can absorb moisture and cause discoloration or damage.
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