Overglaze printed 'Milk Jug' Circa 1800-1830 Ref A2

Overglaze printed 'Milk Jug' Circa 1800-1830 Ref A2

The above jug has really got me flummoxed in trying to date it. I have tentatively placed it around the 1800-1830 period.  I first thought it may be a bat-printed piece  as it is basically an 'overglaze' print  as against an 'underglaze' which was later introduced with transfer printing. Overglazed designs were subject to damage and wear, and the process, being very time-consuming and costly, was eventually abandoned by the 1830's. Bat printing usually produces a 'stippled' effect, whilst the decoration on the jug is basically 'line-engraved' which points to an earlier period than 1810.
Overglazing in effect meant that the item was first fired and glazed and the pattern fixed on top of the glaze.   The pattern was first engraved on a  flat copper plate.  This was used to make a print on a sheet of soft, pliable but very strong tissue paper, using a warm, oily ink. This printed paper was then pressed, with the wet ink downwards, onto the ceramic face, thus transferring the pattern onto the ceramic object. The object was them immersed in cold water which caused the paper to lift off, leaving the pattern. Re-heating the object at a low temperature 'fixed' the design.  This process was already used as far back as the 1750's.
Unfortunately, these 'overglaze' designs did not lend themselves to vigorous wear like cups and plates as the pattern was likely to be scratched, and, therefore,  could only be used for more decorative pieces.  During the 1780's to 1800's, line engraving was usually used for the design, but, by the 1815, line engraving was combined with 'stipple' which produced 'light' and 'dark' areas on a printed scene.

  The jug stands 17cm high with a diameter at the base of 11.6cm. Of heavy earthenware, the glaze is heavy with a rippled effect on the base, a typical clue as to the early age. The glazing process was not yet fully understood and, numerous small 'bubbles' show a typical 'orange-peel' finish. Coupled with small brown-black specks, caused by the coal dust during the initial firing, all points to an early time period.
The glaze to the surface shows numerous small 'scratches' and the overglazed decoration does show some loss of paint also due to scratched - but, does not detract from the overall rustic design.
Some chips to the base show some early 'restoration' which, frankly, adds to the charm. 

This is a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE.  There are many articles being offered as 'antiques' when, clearly, they are not.
Price R400.00    
Post R55.00

Terms: We offer a strict three-day approval period from the date the parcel reaches you. Refunds/credits are based on the cost of the article, NOT including delivery charges. Please advise us within this period whether you would like to return any article for a refund/credit. Although we pride ourselves in our packing, the buyer remains responsible for loss, non-arrival or damage to goods being sent to, or returned.