A generous three 'gallon' ovoid shaped English salt glazed stoneware bottle inscribed 'Iron Peartree Water Near Godstone Surry'. Twin medallions to the front: left with a man on crutches and inscribed 'On the Gout', right with same man with his crutches discarded and inscribed 'Drink and be Well'.
c1750
38.8cm high
Provenance: The Jonathan Horne Collection
Published in his A Catalogue of English Brown Stoneware from the 17th and 18th Centuries - a copy of this catalogue will be included.
This bottle relates to the once-celebrated Iron Pear Tree Water, a mineral spring near Godstone in Surrey that enjoyed local repute in the eighteenth century. Like many spa and chalybeate springs of the period, its waters were believed to possess restorative properties, particularly for ailments such as gout and other rheumatic complaints. The applied medallions vividly reflect this curative claim.
Bottles of this kind were typically sold filled at the spring or distributed more widely, capitalising on the Georgian enthusiasm for medicinal mineral waters. Today, they stand as engaging survivals of Britain’s spa culture—combining folk humour, commercial enterprise, and the period’s faith in the healing power of natural springs.
Condition: As shown in the publication without a handle, this bottles handle has since had an extremely well completed restoration. Some chips around the foot. Small chips to the medallions. General wear commensurate with age.
