The top shelf features early English pottery decorated with the emblems of specific guilds, the predecessors of present-day trade unions. Look closely at the decoration and see if you can identify the shields of the butcher and poulterer guilds.
The hand-painted shields that adorn the ceramics on the lower shelf represent wealthy, aristocratic families. Elaborate heraldic ornament proclaimed the power and status of the owner, and reminded the present generation of its ancestors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dry Jug with Pharmacists’ Guild Arms, 1663
England
Earthenware (tin-glazed)
Chipstone Foundation 1996.9
Jug with Butchers’ Guild Arms, c. 1780
Staffordshire or Liverpool, England
Earthenware (creamware)
Chipstone Foundation 1966.24
Barber’s Basin, 1706
Probably London, England
Earthenware (tin-glazed)
Chipstone Foundation 1965.8
Apothecary Tile, 1770–90
Probably London, England
Earthenware (tin-glazed)
Chipstone Foundation 1967.17
Caudle Cup with Dyers’ Guild Arms, 1675
London, England
Earthenware (tin-glazed)
Chipstone Foundation 1969.3
Mug with Poulterers’ Guild Arms, 1753
London, England
Earthenware (tin-glazed)
Chipstone Foundation 1975.10
Dish, ca. 1800
Chinese, for export
Porcelain
Chipstone Foundation 1952.4, 1
Soup Plate, c. 1755
Chinese, for export (Qing dynasty [1644–1911], Qianlong period [1736–1795])
Porcelain, overglaze enamel, and gilt decoration
Gift of Virginia and Robert V. Krikorian M1990.47
Plate, c. 1750
Chinese, for export
Porcelain
Gift of Charles Fain M1974.189
Dish, 1800
Liverpool, England
Earthenware (creamware)
Chipstone Foundation 1997.4
Plate, c. 1800
Chinese, for export
Porcelain
Chipstone Foundation 1952.13, 1
Plate, c. 1800
Chinese, for export
Porcelain
Chipstone Foundation 1951.7
Jug, c. 1765
England
Earthenware (lead-glaze)
Chipstone Foundation 1997.13
Tureen, c. 1780
Chinese, for export
Porcelain, overglaze enamel, and gilt decoration
Gift of Virginia and Robert Krikorian M1990.118a, b