Flower Power
My latest column in Homes & Antiques is out! This month I am writing about the porcelain style called "Coalbrookdale".
Love it or hate it, as we have been looking at the Rococo Revival style lately, we must talk about the Coalbrookdale style. With its thousands of tiny encrusted blooms, this style was first developed by the German Meissen factory, then found its way to Coalport in Shropshire, and it was quickly copied by many other factories. In fact, it became a real rage between the 1820s and 1840s.
Did you think this is frilly kitsch, perhaps the sort of thing your elderly aunty has on her chimney piece or in her cabinet full of monstrosities? Well, look again. Although not my personal favourite, some of these pieces are stunning works of decorative art that deserve a good look, and their history is interesting.
Encrusted flowers already popped up in British porcelain of the 18th Century, like this Chelsea vase here - and it kept being produced well into the 19th and early 20th Century, like the white Belleek vase I have on offer as well.
Over the years I've bought and sold several pieces that even I could not resist, and I am sure there will be more. In fact, with this blog I am offering an early release of four pieces that belong to a wonderful and very rare batch of new porcelain that will be coming soon, you can find it here. And you can read all about it in the June issue of Homes & Antiques, or head to the PRESS page on this website.
To read the column in Homes & Antiques
For a discounted subscription, head to Homes & Antiques, it is a wonderful magazine and you will be able to catch my monthly column about British porcelain. 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 stock
You can find my Coalbrookdale and other encrusted pieces here, and you can find all my available items here. If you want to stay up to date with new additions, find me on Instagram, where I put up pictures with a story several times a week.
Happy weekend, and enjoy some Flower Power! 🌸🌷🌞
This week's new treasures:
