A pair of parcel-gilt and green painted tôle chestnut urns, probably Pontypool, Wales, 19th century

Similarly decorated urns were produced by the Pontypool factory owned by the Allgood family from the mid-18th century until circa 1820. Urns such as the offered pair were conceived for moving hot chestnuts from the hearth to the table. For related examples, see those illustrated in W. D. John and Anne Simcox, Pontypool and Usk Japanned Wares, Bath, Rev. Ed. 1966, p. 63, ill. 19A.