Money box, made at Portobello, Edinburgh

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This earthenware money box, also known as a pirlie-pig, was made in 1827 by Rathbone's Pottery at Portobello in Edinburgh.

The money box has blue floral decoration. The base is scratch marked under the glaze 'RP Portobello Pottery / 1827'.

Good supplies of coal and clay and easy transport by sea meant that the south side of the Firth of Forth was an ideal location for potteries to develop. Small-scale works existed there from the 17th century and larger factories developed from around 1750.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-047-934-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.1993.2
• Date: 1827
  
• Material: Earthenware, glazed; underglazed, blue floral decoration. Inscription: On base: RP / Portobello / Pottery / 1827
  Pirlie pig
  
• Dimensions: 90 mm H x 90 mm D
  
• What: Pirlie pig
  
• Subject:
• Who: Rathbone's Pottery, Portobello (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Portobello
  
• Event:
• Description: Pirlie pig of glazed earthenware with blue floral underglaze decoration, the base is incised `RP / Portobello / Pottery / 1827', by Rathbone's Pottery, Portobello, Edinburgh
  
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