This is a large antique salt glaze stoneware flask made by James MURRAY POTTERY in Glasgow (Caledonian Pottery). It dates to 1850 - 1890. The Clyde basin was a natural location for the pottery industry as it had a ready supply of coal, growing commercial markets, and good transport links.
This large whisky flask takes the form of the head of the cobbler, Souter Johnnie - who featured in the celebrated narrative poem by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, "Tam O'Shanter".
The jug is finished in clear and transparent light brown glazes. Originally it would have had a metal and cork stopper - this is not present, and it is extremely rare to find one with the cork stopper intact.
There is a version of this pot in the Collection of the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
I have two of them available in my store - and these come from my own personal collection which I have owned for many years.
This is the larger of the two. Given its much larger size - this one is much rarer - as with it being made by Murray Pottery in Glasgow - as details on the impressed mark on the back.
My flask is in great condition with no damages of any kind.
It measures 9 inches in height. From handle to the tip of the nose is 8 inches. The diameter of the base at the widest point is just over 7 1/2 inches.
Unpacked it is 2.3 kg in weight.
It can only be posted to UK addresses - due to its weight and larger size it would have to be sent with Parcelforce48 - with insurance in transit - it will be about £14.95 to post to you.