Catalog: Antiques: Decorative Art: Ceramics (172)

A charming and early Derby diminutive basket form sweetmeat, with delightful floral painting by the Cotton Stem Painter. This form, which is uncommon in blue and white, is almost unheard of in polychrome, with virtually no examples having been offered at auction in the last 10 years. An example is shown as illustration 44 in Gillespy's book on Derby Porcelain.

In overall very good condition, with a very old repair to one of the handles...

A beautiful and very unusual bell shaped Chelsea cup featuring an angular scroll handle with flattened thumb rest and loose sprays of flowers and sprigs, the interior also with a flower spray. The bottom has the red anchor mark and the number 21.

The condition of this charming piece is excellent, with no chips, staining, paint loss, or restoration. There is a short in the making under glaze firing line just above the terminal at the bottom of the handle...

This is an extremely fine example of a Lowestoft tea canister, made in the 1775 - 1780 period. It is of rectangular form with sloped shoulders and a molded ridge following the outline of the sloping portion. The printed design features flowers and insects. An open crescent mark is on the underneath.

The condition of the tea caddy is superb, with no blurriness, chips, nicks, paint loss, cracks, scratches, or restoration...

A fine example of an English porcelain coffee can, made by the Richard Chaffers & Co. manufactory in Liverpool. As to be expected, and as it should be, the soapstone based body resembles that of Worcester.

This particular piece is decorated with a variation of the "Scarlet Japan" pattern, and shows bright colors and careful painting. The condition is excellent, with no chips, cracks, restoration, or other problems. The height is 2 1/4" and the diameter is 2 1/8".

A beautiful Chelsea finger bowl of bellied form, the rim with a brownish-red line, and the body and interior painted with various flowers. Red anchor mark.

This wonderful example of an uncommon form is in excellent condition, with no flaws or issues to speak of. 3" in height, 3 3/4" maximum diameter.

This is a wonderful pair of Derby putti disguised as flower sellers, dating from the 1770 period. The figures are mirror images of each other, as true pairs should be. Each putti has a basket of flowers over one arm, while a single flower is held in the hand of the other arm. The height is 5 1/2", considerably larger than the usual putti...

A fine and rare Bow porcelain coffee cup and saucer painted with the "Dragon Chasing (the Flaming) Pearl (of Wisdom). The interior of the cup also shows the dragon, while the exterior of the saucer is painted with clouds. One of the ways to distinguish this early Bow version is the arrow shaped tongue emanating from the mouth of the dragon. The pieces are very finely potted, and each has a workman's number 13 on the bottom...

A wonderful example of a Dr. Wall, or First period, Worcester small bowl, thinly potted and pencilled (painted with a very fine brush) in black with the "Boy on a Buffalo" pattern. The buffalo is standing by a large tree at the water's edge, sampans off the shore, with a bird, other foliage, and a building in the scene. A flower is on the interior bottom...

The group of small porcelain items known as "toys" is composed of scent bottles, bonbonnieres, etuis, and seals. These were produced from the early years of Chelsea through to the Chelsea-Derby period. (The most comprehensive work on these items is "The Chelsea Porcelain Toys", by G.E. Bryant, published in 1925.)

Seals were carried by members of the upper class and used to imprint a uniquely identifiable mark in the wax used to sign or secure documents or letters...

A beautiful Dr. Wall First Period Worcester coffee cup and saucer in the Jabberwocky pattern, one of the most sought after polychrome patterns done by Worcester. Both the cup and saucer are fluted, placing it in the earlier period of this pattern. The color palette used includes turquoise, reds, deep blue, greens, and rich gilding. The interior border of the cup is also lavishly decorated...