This is a spectacular tea service made by Barr, Flight & Barr. Most of the service was made between 1812 and 1814, but the teapot and teapot stand were added in 1829. The service consists of a teapot with cover and stand, an open sucrier, a milk jug, a slop bowl, two saucer dishes (plates), and six true trios each consisting of a teacup, a coffee can and a saucer. 
 
We have several additional trios if desired, please ask or see separate listings.
 
Barr, Flight & Barr was the continuation of the famous Worcester Porcelain Company. In fact the factory went through various partnerships and names, most of which involved either the name Barr, Flight, or both (or double!). This confusing period in the factory's existence is often called the "Flight & Barr" period. Eventually the factory absorbed some of its spin-offs and was turned into the Royal Worcester, which became very famous in the late 19th and 20th Centuries. During the late 18th and entire 19th Century they were among the leaders of china production, producing exceptionally finely painted and sculpted forms.
 
Items from the Flight & Barr period are generally of exceptional quality and are highly desired today.
 
This service has a stunning maroon ground colour, which was very difficult to fire in those days so would have been extremely expensive. All rims are set off with a beautifully restrained Neoclassical gilt rim, and the teapot has two abundant and very well-painted flower reserves. The teapot is signed "S.B.Edge 1829" but we have not been able to find any information about this artist - it may have been a custom order.
 
All items except the teapot and stand are from the Barr, Flight & Barr period and must be from between 1812, when the "London" shape was first introduced, and 1814, when the impressed marks changed. The teapot and stand are of a heavier and later type of bone china and as the teapot is dated "1829" we assume these were added later. 
Most items are marked with the impressed crowned BFB mark, as well as a printed mark of the BFB retail outlet in Coventry Street, London. 
 
CONDITION REPORT The set is in near-perfect antique condition save a few minor flaws: generally the maroon ground has sustained some rubbing, which is normal for this colour. The teapot handle has been professionally repaired and there is a slight star crack in the bottom of the teapot. However, the teapot is still good for use (it doesn't leak) although it is advisable to handle it with both hands when filled with water, to avoid putting too much pressure on the repaired handle. The teapot and teapot stand, being from a later bone china quality, have some crazing. Other than this, there is no damage, repairs or crazing whatsoever.
 
Antique British porcelain is never perfect. Kilns were fired on coal in the 1800s, and this meant that china from that period can have some firing specks from flying particles. British makers were also known for their experimentation, and sometimes this resulted in technically imperfect results. Due to the shrinkage in the kiln, items can have small firing lines or develop crazing over time, which should not be seen as damage but as an imperfection of the maker's recipes, probably unknown at the time of making. Items have often been used for many years and can have normal signs of wear, and gilt can have signs of slight disintegration even if never handled. I will reflect any damage, repairs, obvious stress marks, crazing or heavy wear in the item description but some minor scratches, nicks, stains and gilt disintegration can be normal for vintage items and need to be taken into account.
 
There is widespread confusion on the internet about the difference between chips and nicks, or hairlines and cracks. I will reflect any damage as truthfully as I can, i.e. a nick is a tiny bit of damage smaller than 1mm and a chip is something you can easily see with the eye; a glazing line is a break in the glazing only; hairline is extremely tight and/or superficial and not picked up by the finger; and a crack is obvious both to the eye and the finger. Etcetera - I try to be as accurate as I can and please feel free to ask questions or request more detailed pictures!
 
DIMENSIONS teapot 27 X 17cm (10.5" X 6.75") and 15cm (6") high; teapot stand 19.8cm (7.75") diameter; bowl 17cm (6.75") diameter and 8cm (3.15") high; sucrier 18.5 X 11cm (7.25" X 4.25") and 12cm (4.75") high; milk jug 14.5 X 9cm (5.75" X 3.5") and 10.5cm (4.15") high; plates 20 (8") and 19.5cm (7.75") diameter; teacups 8.8cm (3.5") diameter; coffee cans 6.5cm (2.5") diameter; saucers 14cm (5.5") diameter.