A Late Victorian Dairy Ironstone Milk Pail And Original Patented Brass Cover by The Dairy Outfit Company Ltd of King’s Cross, London

The domed hinged lid is stamped “The Adaptable Milk Pan Cover” with British patent number 11897/90, dating the design to 1890 and placing the piece within the professional London dairy trade at the turn of the 20th century.

Intended to keep milk hygienically protected while cooling and allowing cream to rise, this was practical working equipment rather than purely domestic ware.

The substantial ironstone body is transfer printed with the words “PURE MILK” above a pastoral cow vignette and finished with floral borders. The glaze displays overall age-related crazing and interior staining consistent with historic dairy use.

There are visible internal cracks to the ironstone, so the piece is recommended for display rather than functional use with liquids.

The brass lid and rim remain original and untouched, showing a deep, even patina with areas of verdigris internally from long-term contact with moisture and milk residues.

Measuring approximately 13” tall, 17” diameter.