This is a Royal Doulton jug in the Oyama pattern (D2419), made in England around 1910. An octagonal body covered entirely in a swirling blue-and-white dragon scene — coiling beasts, crashing waves, and clouds rendered in deep cobalt underglaze with the kind of detail that makes you want to look at it for an unreasonable amount of time.
The handle is modelled as a serpent, its head curling over the rim with a slightly menacing expression that suggests it has opinions about who gets to use this jug. The whole piece has the confident drama of Edwardian design at its best.
Now, full transparency: someone bumped into it at some point in its 115-year life, and two small chips appeared on the upper rim. No cracks, no crazing, no discolouration — just two tiny nicks that are clearly visible in the photos and honestly give it a bit of character. The kind of damage that says "I have lived" rather than "I have been neglected."
Details:
Maker: Royal Doulton, England
Pattern: Oyama, D2419
Circa 1910s
Octagonal form with serpent handle
Cobalt blue underglaze dragon and wave decoration
Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 13 cm
Weight: 465g
Condition: two small chips to upper rim, clearly shown in photos. No cracks, no crazing, no discolouration.
WARNING: This jug is so dramatic that whatever you put in it — water, juice, good intentions — will immediately taste more interesting. Maison de L'oro accepts no responsibility for any subsequent obsession with Royal Doulton, or for the slightly smug feeling of owning something this old and this good-looking.
