Forgotten beauties
There are many items in my shop, and it's easy to lose track of some of them. When trawling through the stock, I found quite a few forgotten beauties that deserve the limelight, so this week I am highlighting a few.
It's not just that these seem to have been forgotten as they were placed behind other, newer stock - I also haven't had much new in this week as I am preparing to release a large new collection... more about that in September! Just hang tight, my lips are sealed 🤫
First of all a couple of John Rose (Coalport) plates with stunning paintings by the famous artist Thomas Baxter. The first one is a sunny view of Canterbury, held in an octagonal panel with a beautiful gilt acanthus rim. I visited Canterbury not long ago, and the view still looks exactly the same, with the same West Gate and houses along the river. The plate second is very different: a monochrome view of Windsor Castle with a flock of adorable sheep in the foreground. These plates are pricey but that's because they were painted by a very famous painter... there aren't that many Thomas Baxter plates around so if you like collecting or need something very decorative on your wall, these are perfect.
Of course we need tea with our lunch... I already sold the large tea service in maroon and gilt by Barr Flight & Barr, but I still have some trios. They have a bit of rubbing as the factory was not capable yet of overlaying the maroon ground in a way that wouldn't rub off. So I would say the rubbing is not a flaw, but a sign of authenticity of that era! Another choice is the "dollar pattern" trio by Spode... one of the best patterns I think! And it has of course nothing to do with dollars - those strange shapes are actually Chinese trees of life.
If you need a good vase, there is this stunning one by Royal Crown Derby from the early 20th Century, with flowers painted by the well known Cuthbert Gresley. The style harks back to the early 19th Century with its cobalt blue ground, rich gilding and beautiful flowers.
There is also another stunner: a large serving platter by Chelsea, one of the first British porcelain factories. This beautiful one from the early 1760s is puce coloured with fine gilding and birds in the Sèvres style; a very fine example of that period. It is in fantastic condition, which is hard to find for items of that age and size.
Do you want more plates? I still have two stunners. The first one is a very finely moulded one by Coalport from about 1815-1820 in cobalt blue, gilt and flowers, with a very original scene of birds in a landscape in the centre. It is crazed, which means it comes at a slightly more affordable price. The second one is older and was made by Derby in about 1785. It is painted with a puce monochrome cherub playing with doves by Richard Askew, one of the famous painters of that era. Askew painted for Chelsea until that factory was bought by Derby, and then continued for them. This plate also has an amazing border with "oeil de perdrix" or partridge eye motif in puce, turquoise and gilt. This is very much the Sèvres style, too.
Where to find stock
You can find all these items here, with all my other available stock. 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 have a look at what's on your shelves!
The West Gate in Canterbury, then and now
The forgotten beauties lined up:
