Antique French Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard Pot, Circa 1890

Standing on my grey Poupon shelf, this is the little black-transfer mustard crock from Dijon, marked underneath by the Creil et Montereau works. What I like about it is how much detail the printer packed into that small oval: the Dijon coat of arms, the grape vines, and the banner reading Maison Fondée en 1777 with the fourteen honor medals the house claimed. The back carries the maker's warning to demand the genuine seal. A working condiment pot that survived from a Victorian table to now.

[d]Dimensions | 4.5 in H x 2.75 in diameter

[d]Surface | Original glaze, unrestored

[d]Primary Material | White ironstone

[d]Period | Late 19th to early 20th century

[d]Date | Circa 1884 to 1900, mark registered from 1884

[d]Origin | France

[d]Style | French advertising ware

[d]Also Known As | moutardier

[d]Maker | Creil et Montereau, marked C & M Déposé to base

[d]Technique | Black transfer print on glazed ironstone

[condition]

The pot is in good antique condition with honest wear from use. The glaze is intact with no cracks visible and no repairs. The black transfer is crisp and complete on both the front crest and the diagonal lettering on the reverse. There is scattered orange and brown staining and light foxing across the body, most noticeable to one side of the crest and around the neck and base, consistent with age and long use. The footrim shows glaze losses and chips around the underside edge, visible in the photos of the base. The base carries the printed C & M Creil et Montereau mark along with a painted script letter. A short handwritten collector's label is affixed to the reverse and can be removed. Please review all photos, as they form part of the condition report.

Attribution note: the maker is confirmed by the printed Creil et Montereau mark to the base, not a dealer attribution. The 1777 date and the fourteen medals in the transfer are Grey-Poupon's own advertising and refer to the mustard house, not to the age of this pot. Dating is based on the C & M mark style and is given as a conservative range.