Featured Mystery transferware pitcher - French? Staffordshire? other? ceramic jug

Yes, this kind of handle is a regular on the Aesthetic movement scene That's a beautiful piece!

 

Yes, I think it might be a milk, sauce or cream jug. I think Saint Amand is my only possibility for the French makers with this barbotine work...it seems more common to see this mix in English wares in jugs. I might have to just say 'don't know!' on this one

 

I think they are normally called serpent handles, sometimes, snake, sometimes hydra

 

It looked too happy to be a snake.

 

That is a lovely thing.

 

agreed! Though called serpents they are based on Renaissance dolphin forms (as per the knowledgeable @Any Jewelry !) but seem to be hardly ever referred to as that (I suppose because they don't really look much like dolphins). But dolphins are cheery looking so maybe that's why they look like very happy snakes...?