Bronze Age Gold from Wales

Of elongated pear shape, standing on a stepped circular base. Applied with simple angular spout; the strap handle covered with wicker. The hinged lid is domed and stepped and surmounted by a finial in the form of a pineapple. Light brown tortoiseshell japan. One side is decorated with a scene of a shepherdess, the other with a group of buildings, both in brown shaded gilding. Gilt scrollwork in the style of the rococo, to neck, base, spout and around both terminals and handle. The cover is ornamented in gilt with stylised flowers and foliage. The finial is gilded.

In 1756 Dr Pococke, Bishop of Meath visited the Allgood family's japanware workshop in Pontypool. He noted, 'they make salvers and candlesticks and many other things which they japan; I am told that the light parts of this in imitation of tortoise shell is done with silver leaf. They adorn them with Chinese landscapes and figures in gold only, and not with colouring as at Birmingham. This ware is much better than the Birmingham but is dear, there being only two brothers and their children who make it and kept it a secret. They will also japan copper boxes, or anything made in copper which they cannot well work in iron'.