Could anyone please help me?

[RPiper]

Hi there, my name is Richard, I live in the UK and I am new to this forum, I am after some advice from any lovely people willing to help me. My grandmother recently rediscovered an item that was given to her by her father. She is currently under some financial troubles and is debating selling it. I have spent about 8 hours searching all over the internet for any indication of its value but cannot find anything, I wonder if anyone here may know a rough estimate of its value?

I don't know much about it, she thinks it dates back to the 1920's but isn't sure. It's some sort of jug, it has a stunning browny metallic paint and the head has a cork that plugs the neck of the jug, it appears to be hand painted. The jug is musical and at the bottom there is a winder. It still works fine and plays a song by 'John Peel' I believe. I have included 5 photos I took recently. I don't know anymore about it unfortunately.

Many thanks for your time

http://postimg.org/image/6u5950so9/
http://postimg.org/image/6u5950so9/
http://postimg.org/image/3s98bkiaj/
http://postimg.org/image/5fpg6okpf/
http://postimg.org/image/97hycj9uj/

  

[mart]

We would try to help if you can post your pics to this site !!~ Some of those  sites don`t work for us !!

[bigwull]

they work for me.....but then ,i,m not on...wind up.....nor am i 4 days from anyplace....will try and post pics....here goes....is that better Mart...

[bigwull]

is it still usable as a container for liquid.....the fact that it has a cork stopper is usually an indication that it was meant to hold, an alchohol based liqiud...judging from what i can see, there are no makers name...if we had the makers name of the musical piece..this may help,is it possible to remove the music piece....there has to be a name somewhere...

[Rauville]

Weller and Fulper potteries along with other American companies made musical jugs that show up at times in our part of the world. Most of them date back to the 1920's to the 40's. I'm sure English potteries were producing similar items about the same time.
Here's an example from Fulper: http://www.tias.com/11815/PictPage/3924041263.html

[Ipcress]

Crown Devon are the usual culprits when it comes to these though and i've not seen anything like this before. Almost as if someone took a normal flagon / flask and made it musical. The glaze is also not something you'd expect to see from that period. Almost as if it were covering something up.

[mart]

How does that cork fit ??  Perfect or is it off a bit ?? And the bottom musical part ??   I looked this morning but found nothing like this,, only the Crown Devon !!  Possibly put-together and not original ??  Bottom is made like the Crown Devon pieces !!

[RPiper]

Hey guys, Thank you very much for all this helpful information.

As far as I know it can still hold liquid, although the cork is starting to crumble away. I believe the cork fits perfectly (with a little effort). I will make a trip to my grandmothers over the next few days to try to open the base to find a name and take more pictures. Thank you bigwull for re-posting the pictures for me. I couldn't find how to upload direct to site.

Many thanks everyone, i'll be back on here with more info soon. 

[mart]

Excellent !!  Will wait for more info !! Check the size of the bottom against the jug bottom !! Should fit pretty close !! I think you may be able to slide those metal keepers and remove the bottom !!

[KC]

There were many jug versions made; Most of these played "Little Brown Jug".  However I believe yours is a monk jug.  This resembles yours
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swiss-Music-Box-Antique-Monk-Jug-By-Lador-1946-/161045402899?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257f0dd513

These were popular in the time line that the others stated.  They usually had a wooden base (which yours appears to have.)  They made musical wine decanters, whiskey, cordials, decanters, and all other kinds.  Many cannot be identified.

I have a musical bottle that was passed down in the family (Bols Ballerina Bottle).  (Not worth much and) they are plentiful.

Can you remove the music box from the bottle?  If so, see if there are any markings.  Many beverage companies had the music boxes and simplly added them to their decanters/bottles/jugs.  Many came from Germany


http://www.auctionflex.com/showlot.ap?co=1&weiid=2688171&lang=En

[RPiper]

Hi guys, I'm back with some more info. (Sorry for the slow turnaround, visits to my grandmother are few and far between)

I have removed the bottom and the musical piece that it contained. The musical movement is made in Switzerland and the decanter also has 'Swiss' handwritten inside (see photos). There is text on the musical piece, you might not be able to see very well what it says from the photos but it says.... SWITZERLAND LADOR SteCROIX.

I also had a better inspection of the decanter itself. The head is not flush fitted, unlike what I declared at first. It is quite off centre and is at least 10mm from where it could be.

I am not sure if this is some sort of 'frankenstein' decanter which has been modified and painted by a third party or if this is a genuine original. I would be delighted if anyone can shed some more light on what this is.

Many thanks guys









This last photo shows how off centre the cork actually is in the head

[RPiper]

Here's a re-upload of the first image as it doesn't appear to be working on mine http://s14.postimg.org/tq5mu86a9/20130624_182041.jpg

[Ipcress]

There are a few more by Lador on the internet. One recently went unsold on ebay.com. Someone in the UK recently sold the movement for 99p, but it depends how well listed these items were.


I think you might get £5-10 at best unfortunately.

[RPiper]

Ok, Thank you very very much for all your time in helping me with all this great information everyone. It's unfortunate it's not worth more, but not to worry

It's been a pleasure talking to everyone on this friendly forum

Many thanks, best wishes, Richard

[KC]

You're mightly welcome.  Don't be a stranger and come back to ask or help!