Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Caughley Dish, Harlequin Pattern in Style of Donegall Service, ca 1793

About the Item

This is a beautiful and intriguing porcelain dish made by Caughley and decorated at Chamberlains Worcester in or shortly after 1793. The dish has a "harlequin" pattern with six different finely painted Neoclassical rim motifs in the style of the famous "Marquess of Donegall" pattern. Dishes like this one usually belonged to a large dessert service, however, it is possible that this was a sampler, showing several different pattern options for clients to choose from. The Caughley factory ran between 1775 and 1799, founded by Ambrose Gallimore and Thomas Turner. It produced very fine soft-paste porcelain made for the middle classes in mostly underglaze blue and gilt decorations. Today the items are very collectable because of their high quality and elegant yet simple decorations, which tell the tale of the more ordinary well-to-do population, rather than the extremely wealthy clientele that many other factories served. The Chamberlain factory was founded in the 1780s by Robert Chamberlain, who was responsible for the decoration department in the famous Worcester pottery during the Dr Wall period. He set up his own factory with his son Humphrey, initially buying up stock from Turner's Caughley factory for decoration, but then around 1794 starting to produce their own porcelain, became extremely successful. This dish is clearly from the period when Chamberlain was still purchasing porcelain from the Caughley factory. The Marquess of Donegall pattern is a pattern that was first ordered at the Caughley factory in 1793 by the Marquess of Donegall. That service, which was in "harlequin" style with a different border motif on each item, was decorated by Chamberlains Worcester and described in their order books. The Caughley service was very large and expensive, consisting of 132 pieces and costing £217 10s and 6d... that's about £28,000 today! The whole service was famously sold by the family at Phillips in 1981, and has later been dispersed, with different pieces popping up in the market at different times. This dish has six finely painted border motifs in pastel colours, and a beautiful centre decoration and scattered floral sprigs. The mystery about this dish is whether this was a spin-off pattern of the famous Donegall pattern, or whether it was in fact a sample used for the Marquess to choose patterns... we will never know. The dish is marked with the hand written red Chamberlains Worcester mark; the mark is charmingly misspelled as "Chamberlins" - being a talented porcelain painter did not necessarily mean you had gone to school very long, so these misspellings did sometimes occur. CONDITION REPORT The dish is in perfect antique condition without any damage, repairs, crazing and hardly any wear. There is a tiny firing fault on the foot rim, that has no bearing on the stability or quality of the dish; for Caughley porcelain of this era this is quite common. Antique British porcelain is never perfect. Kilns were fired on coal in the 1800s, and this meant that china from that period could have some firing specks from flying particles. British makers were also known for their experimentation, which sometimes 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: 29.5cm (11.6") long.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.1 in (2.8 cm)Width: 11.6 in (29.47 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1790-1799
  • Date of Manufacture:
    ca 1793
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. in excellent antique condition without any damage, repairs or crazing, and only some light wear.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: A-CAU041stDibs: LU4805144755162

More From This Seller

View All
Chamberlains Worcester Porcelain Dish, Nelson or Fine Old Japan pattern, ca 1805
By Chamberlains Worcester
Located in London, GB
This is a striking square serving dish made by Chamberlains in Worcester around 1805. The dish bears the Fine Old Japan pattern, often called the Nelson pattern. Robert Chamberlai...
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Serving Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Spode Porcelain Shell Dish, Orange and Gilt Neoclassical Design, ca 1810
By Spode
Located in London, GB
This is a gorgeous dessert serving dish, or "shell dish", made by Spode in about 1810, which was the Regency era. The dish has a beautiful Neoclassical pattern of gilt details on an ...
Category

Antique 1810s English Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Worcester Pair of Shell Dishes, French Green Stencil Pattern, ca 1770
By 1st Period Worcester Dr. Wall
Located in London, GB
This is a pair of very rare and beautiful shell dishes made by Worcester around 1770 in their 1st or "Dr Wall" period. The dishes have one scrolled handle and have a shell-like shape...
Category

Antique 1770s English Georgian Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Derby Lobed Dish, Camden Service, William Billingsley Roses on Green, 1795 (1)
By Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a very rare oval lobed dish from the famous "Earl of Camden" service made by the Derby Porcelain Company in 1795. The service was painted with typical English roses by William Billingsley, one of Britain's most famous painters, and responsible for exactly this type of rose painting on British porcelain. There are more items available in this pattern, see separate listings. To keep these items together we'd be happy to offer a discount on multiple purchases - please ask! The Derby Porcelain Company, later called Royal Crown Derby, is currently the oldest British porcelain factory still in production. The Derby pottery was one of the most prominent potteries right from the start of English porcelain production in the mid 1700s to today, and the factory went through many iterations. In the 1820s, it was called "Bloor Derby" as it came under the ownership of Robert Bloor; this factory later closed but its legacy was continued under the ownership of a group of employees, and later this was merged into a new factory called Royal Crown Derby, which is still in operation today and still carries forward some of the oldest patterns that have made it famous over the centuries. William Billingsley was a brilliant but notoriously 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, which you can see in this design. Billingsley worked at Derby, Worcester and Mansfield. He also set up his own potteries in Pinxton and Nantgarw and created some of the best porcelain ever made, but racking up great debts, before running off in the dead of night and ending his days at Coalport painting flowers. Items painted by William Billingsley are rare and very much in demand - together with Thomas Baxter's work they are probably among the most desired pieces of British porcelain. The Earl of Camden service was a huge service ordered by Lady Camden in 1795. It had to be produced under great, and unrealistic, time pressure and was notoriously late, much to Lady Camden's chagrin. She wanted the service to be produced by only the best artisans and therefore William Billingsley was tasked with painting all items - but it is thought that when it was clear the deadline was impossible to make, he enlisted the help of John Brewer for some of the last items, such as the ice pails. This plate shows the typical "Billingsley" roses: a beautiful naturally flowing garland of English roses interspersed with buds, trailing around a crisp gilt ribbon. The way the roses link into each other, the way each individual one is completely different, the light effects achieved by rubbing out some of the pink paint, and the very fine buds and foliage all point to these being from Billingsley's hand. This dish came together with a plate that bears labels that point to a rich provenance: the Doris Wheatley Collection, the Daniel Collection, Derek Gardner...
Category

Antique 1790s English George III Serving Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Derby Oval Dish, Camden Service, William Billingsley Roses on Green, 1795 (2)
By Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a very rare oval lobed dish from the famous "Earl of Camden" service made by the Derby Porcelain Company in 1795. The service was painted with typical English roses by William Billingsley, one of Britain's most famous painters, and responsible for exactly this type of rose painting on British porcelain. There are more items available in this pattern, see separate listings. To keep these items together we'd be happy to offer a discount on multiple purchases - please ask! The Derby Porcelain Company, later called Royal Crown Derby, is currently the oldest British porcelain factory still in production. The Derby pottery was one of the most prominent potteries right from the start of English porcelain production in the mid 1700s to today, and the factory went through many iterations. In the 1820s, it was called "Bloor Derby" as it came under the ownership of Robert Bloor; this factory later closed but its legacy was continued under the ownership of a group of employees, and later this was merged into a new factory called Royal Crown Derby, which is still in operation today and still carries forward some of the oldest patterns that have made it famous over the centuries. William Billingsley was a brilliant but notoriously 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, which you can see in this design. Billingsley worked at Derby, Worcester and Mansfield. He also set up his own potteries in Pinxton and Nantgarw and created some of the best porcelain ever made, but racking up great debts, before running off in the dead of night and ending his days at Coalport painting flowers. Items painted by William Billingsley are rare and very much in demand - together with Thomas Baxter's work they are probably among the most desired pieces of British porcelain. The Earl of Camden service was a huge service ordered by Lady Camden in 1795. It had to be produced under great, and unrealistic, time pressure and was notoriously late, much to Lady Camden's chagrin. She wanted the service to be produced by only the best artisans and therefore William Billingsley was tasked with painting all items - but it is thought that when it was clear the deadline was impossible to make, he enlisted the help of John Brewer for some of the last items, such as the ice pails. This plate shows the typical "Billingsley" roses: a beautiful naturally flowing garland of English roses interspersed with buds, trailing around a crisp gilt ribbon. The way the roses link into each other, the way each individual one is completely different, the light effects achieved by rubbing out some of the pink paint, and the very fine buds and foliage all point to these being from Billingsley's hand. This dish came together with a plate that bears labels that point to a rich provenance: the Doris Wheatley Collection, the Daniel Collection, Derek Gardner...
Category

Antique 1790s English George III Serving Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Derby Square Dish, Camden Service, William Billingsley Roses on Green, 1795
By Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a very rare square dish from the famous "Earl of Camden" service made by the Derby Porcelain Company in 1795. The service was painted with typical English roses by William Billingsley, one of Britain's most famous painters, and responsible for exactly this type of rose painting on British porcelain. There are more items available in this pattern, see separate listings. To keep these items together we'd be happy to offer a discount on multiple purchases - please ask! The Derby Porcelain Company, later called Royal Crown Derby, is currently the oldest British porcelain factory still in production. The Derby pottery was one of the most prominent potteries right from the start of English porcelain production in the mid 1700s to today, and the factory went through many iterations. In the 1820s, it was called "Bloor Derby" as it came under the ownership of Robert Bloor; this factory later closed but its legacy was continued under the ownership of a group of employees, and later this was merged into a new factory called Royal Crown Derby, which is still in operation today and still carries forward some of the oldest patterns that have made it famous over the centuries. William Billingsley was a brilliant but notoriously 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, which you can see in this design. Billingsley worked at Derby, Worcester and Mansfield. He also set up his own potteries in Pinxton and Nantgarw and created some of the best porcelain ever made, but racking up great debts, before running off in the dead of night and ending his days at Coalport painting flowers. Items painted by William Billingsley are rare and very much in demand - together with Thomas Baxter's work they are probably among the most desired pieces of British porcelain. The Earl of Camden service was a huge service ordered by Lady Camden in 1795. It had to be produced under great, and unrealistic, time pressure and was notoriously late, much to Lady Camden's chagrin. She wanted the service to be produced by only the best artisans and therefore William Billingsley was tasked with painting all items - but it is thought that when it was clear the deadline was impossible to make, he enlisted the help of John Brewer for some of the last items, such as the ice pails. This plate shows the typical "Billingsley" roses: a beautiful naturally flowing garland of English roses interspersed with buds, trailing around a crisp gilt ribbon. The way the roses link into each other, the way each individual one is completely different, the light effects achieved by rubbing out some of the pink paint, and the very fine buds and foliage all point to these being from Billingsley's hand. This dish came together with a plate that bears labels that point to a rich provenance: the Doris Wheatley Collection, the Daniel Collection, Derek Gardner...
Category

Antique 1790s English George III Serving Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

You May Also Like

Pair of Caughley Salopian English Porcelain Shapes Plates or Dishes
By Caughley Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of English porcelain shaped bowls or dishes. By Caughley. In a heart-form or shield shape. Decorated throughout with painted cobalt blue and gilt floral devices....
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Inkeri Leivo '1944-2010' for Arabia, Eight Harlequin Bowls in Porcelain
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Inkeri Leivo (1944-2010) for Arabia. Eight Harlequin bowls in cream-colored porcelain. 1970s. Measures: 11.5 x 6.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped.
Category

Vintage 1970s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Georgian Derby Porcelain Serving Dish or Bowl Hand-Painted, Fully Marked Ca 1815
By Derby
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good oval shaped serving dish or bowl, made by the Derby factory, hand painted and gilded in a free flowing floral pattern, during the reign of George 111 in the early 19th century, circa 1815.   This is a well potted oval shaped dish or bowl with a vertically fluted and moulded side edge and rim, sitting on a low foot. The piece is beautifully hand decorated in a free flowing manner, in one of Derby's Imari style floral Patterns, with enamels of cobalt blue, burnt orange, pink and yellow, all in varying shades. It has then been hand gilded, with gold detail to some of the flowers, blue leaf, the inner border and the outer rim. The dish has the early Derby...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Serving Bowls

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique English Blue and White Chinoiserie Square Bowls by Caughley
By Caughley Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique English blue and white chinoiserie square bowls by Caughley, each one with scalloped edges with gilt borders. Unmarked, ...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Caughley English Porcelain Pail Shape Cream Jug
By Caughley Porcelain
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A scarce and fine antique English porcelain cream jug decorated with gilded patterning by Caughley and dating from around 1780. The pail shaped jug stands on a narrow round foot with...
Category

Antique 1780s English Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Antique English Caughley Porcelain Milk Pitcher or Jug
By Caughley Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English porcelain milk pitcher or jug. Comprising the pot, a conforming lid, and a later associated chain connecting the two. With blue underglaze decoration of...
Category

Early 20th Century English Georgian Pitchers

Materials

Porcelain

Recently Viewed

View All