I am very happy to bring you an early transferware ironstone tureen with the very sought after blue bird design. 
 
The bird and floral pattern has an almost flow blue appearance characteristic of the early techniques which would date it from the first half of the 1800s 
 
The handle on the lid is extraordinary and intact, a beautiful shape, ergonomically designed to easily fit two two fingers to safely lift a hot lid. The handles on the side of the bowl are very ornate, just as they should be.
 
There is a ravier plate in the same design available separately.
 
The tureen is in very good condition for its age with the expected patination on the bowl 'tea' staining and crazing. There is a very small chip on the inner  rim of lid.
 
The lid measures 8.35" diameter and the bowl just over 10" across the handles. It stands approximately 7" tall.