Petite Terracotta Pitcher
Want a homemade Christmas gift idea? Look no further than Tiny Tuesday!
This petite pitcher is made of unglazed terracotta, decorated with floral and foliage lithograph pieces, which have been glued to the surface and then varnished over. The maker is unknown, though this form of decoupage dates to the 1870s and 1880s.
During that period, ladies of the middle and upper classes threw themselves into the trend of decoupage known as “Decalcomania.” Crafters would apply paper images onto all sorts of objects, such as furniture, stoneware, and glassware. The paper could be pasted either on the interior or exterior of the object; when the paper was glued on the exterior, a thin varnish was applied to protect the designs.
Bright and colorful, the images used during the “Decalcomania” period were printed using chromolithography, an inexpensive way to reproduce paintings, illustrations, or texts. At first, the images would be cut from advertisements; later, full chromolithograph sheets were sold for use in autograph albums and crafts. Realistic illustrations of plants, animals, people, and places allowed for a decoration extravaganza! One can only imagine the extent of the crafts if the Victorians had access to modern craft stores!
So, if you need to make Mom a gift, take a cue from the Victorians.