Pitcher, 10.25 inches tall. Brown transfer. Printed maker's mark for F. J. Emery. The pitcher features the same pattern on both sides. A hemlock branch with needles and cones is laid at the bottom and rises up toward the rim. Laid under the left edge of the branch is a circular cartouche filled with a basketweave pattern. Three butterflied flit next to it. Superimposed over the right edge of the branch is a rhomboid cartouche infilled with a fish. The right corner of this cartouche is superimposed over the bottom of a Japanese folding fan decorated with flowers and a ribbon around the handle. The rim features a motif composed of a trellis fragment with slender flowering stems. The border around the rim consists of a single meander line.

In January 1859 Francis Joseph Emery together with Jacob Furnival and John Derbyshire gave notice of a patent application of an invention of "improvements in apparatus for supporting articles of china and earthenware in kilns and ovens." C.1865 "In connection with the Furnival Works, Mr. F. J. Emery of the Bleak Hill Works introduced in about 1865 a method of crayon drawing and painting on the unglazed surface of earthenware and china, which came much in repute, and drawings were made in it by some of the artists as well as by ladies and other amateurs. The unglazed articles and prepared crayons and colors were supplied by Mr. Emery, who afterwards became a partner with Edward Clarke at Longport, and proprietor of the Bleak Hill Works." Source: Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900
From 1877 to 1881 Francis Joseph Emery was in partnership with Edward Clarke at the New Bridge Works, Longport as Edward Clarke & Co. From 1878 to 1880 Emery occupied the famous "Churchyard Works" in Burslem, which was once operated by the Wedgwood family. In 1880 Emery moved to the Bleak Hill Works until 1894. In the 1881 census the Emery family were living at 222 Waterloo Road, Burslem. Francis Emery was aged 49 and his occupation was 'Earthenware Manufacturer & Councillor Employing 50 Men 40 Females'. In March 1894 proceedings were taken against Francis Emery leading to bankruptcy.