Featured Open salt misidentified in what used to be quality store

One of my favorite antique stores in Chatham seems to be under new management. It was a very high-end store for years. We were over there for First Night celebrations yesterday and stopped in. First, I noticed that instead of pre 19th century items, most of what was shown was 1890s-1940s. The tasteful, hand written price tags became big, ugly printed ones and the descriptions were iffy. Here's an example. An open salt in the shape of a Toby jug but the description says, "Blue Willow". The price is ridiculously high and I'm no expert but I am not convinced it's Staffordshire. Very disappointing.

 

Any chance it is a consignment shop? Perhaps they have a new consigner who either doesn't know or doesn't care that they are misinforming customers. If so, I would bring it up with the manager. They should know they are damaging the store's credibility and that it may eventually cost them some of their best customers. Flea markets are one thing but a high end shop with questionable attirbutions is quite another. I know I wouldn't be back.

 

Not in their defense, but there does seem to be a blue transfer border on them that could be like a blue willow border. Maybe?

 

From Jzyk & Robertson's 'Open Salt Compendium' (2002):



~Cheryl

 

I'd want a look at the bottoms. Then again I also wouldn't pay 10% of one individual price for the lot, not being a pottie of any sort.