Antique Stoneware Jam Jar, W. P. Hartley

A beautifully simple antique stoneware jam jar by W. P. Hartley, whose preserves were once a familiar sight in British pantries and kitchen cupboards. Finished in a soft, warm oatmeal glaze with subtle vertical ribbing, this jar is a quiet celebration of everyday utility made to endure.

The base is clearly stamped “Not Genuine Unless Bearing W. P. Hartley’s Label” – a reassuring mark of authenticity from a time when branding was pressed directly into clay. Originally made to hold jam, this piece now lends itself effortlessly to reuse: perfect for dried flowers, wooden utensils, paintbrushes, or simply styled as a sculptural object on an open shelf.

There’s a gentle honesty to the form, small glaze variations, light wear to the rim, and a satisfying weight in the hand that speaks to its working life. It carries the calm presence of kitchens past, where useful objects were also quietly beautiful.

Dimensions;
Height: 10cm
Top diameter: 8.5cm
Base diameter: 8cm