A Tale of Two Williams
Hot from the press: A Tale of Two Williams - my new column in Homes & Antiques. This month I shine the light on two wonderful porcelain decorators, both called William but they couldn't be more different!
William Billingsly was a brilliant but difficult man who left behind a trail of debts, broken hearts and mystery - but he was also one of the most important people in the history British porcelain. Billingsley revolutionised the way British decorators painted flowers; he added a freedom and artistry that now singles out British flower painting, and he created a new technique for painting roses. He then set up his own potteries in Pinxton and Nantgarw and created some of the best porcelain ever made, before running off again and ending his days at Coalport painting flowers.
William "Quaker" Pegg was a very different man: soft-spoken, deeply religious and conflicted about being a painter. The son of a gardener he deeply loved flowers. Yet, called by his Quaker religion, he gave up painting for many years. His flower paintings were of a completely new order; they are huge, draped over the porcelain as the universe is too small to hold them, with a wild, sensual quality. Quaker Pegg ended his days quietly running a corner shop with his wife and looking after the poor.
You can read more about these two gentlemen in the magazine, enjoy!
Homes & Antiques Offer
You can follow my monthly column in Homes & Antiques, and you can get a discounted subscription and order a free copy here. The free issue contains an interview with myself and several other collectors. The magazine is delivered all over the world but you can also get a digital subscription.
Where to find things
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Happy weekend, and enjoy the flowers! 🌸🌷🌹
This week's new treasures:
