Worcester dry mustard pot and cover, no mark, c.1753-54, priced £4800 from Albert Amor.
It is painted in Chinese style with the ‘honeysuckle’ or ‘hibiscus’ pattern and, to the cover, a bird in flight.
It is one of more than 100 works in the catalogue Worcester Porcelain: The First Period. This is the London dealership’s first show devoted to Worcester porcelain since 2001 and is comprised of pieces from four private collections.
Worcester ‘Blind Earl’ sweetmeat dish, no mark, c.1758, £1800 from Albert Amor.
Chief among these are the John Bell Collection, compiled by a solicitor in Oxfordshire, and the other the Mellor Cobham Collection. It follows the Treasures from the Mellor Cobham Collection exhibited at the gallery last spring.
The earliest pieces are from two unnamed private collections: one a long-established English group and the other - including the mustard pot - American. Various items of stock were also acquired for the show.
Worcester oval sauce tureen stand from the Duke of Gloucester Service, the first documented Worcester Royal service. It is painted in coloured enamels with fruits and leaves and is offered for £7000 from Albert Amor.
Other highlights include a James Giles-decorated turquoise ground teacup and saucer and a pair of gardener figures, all from the Rous Lench collection, a rare three vase garniture with dry blue decoration, and a George III printed mug commemorating the capture of Cuba.
This is the gallery’s first exhibition since the death of the queen last year, particularly momentous for the gallery as it held the Royal Warrant of ‘Supplier of 18th Century Porcelains to Her Majesty’ from 2001 until her death. It was previously a Royal Warrant holder appointed by Queen Mary and the Queen Mother.
