Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17

Derby Pair of Cache Pots, Yellow, Flowers by William Billingsley, ca 1795

About the Item

This is a pair of cache pots made by the Derby Porcelain Company in 1795. The pair is decorated in bright canary or "Scarsdale" yellow and a white band with large flowers painted by the famous painter William Billingsley. The pots have gilded shell shaped handles. 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 pots are marked with the puce crowned Derby mark. CONDITION REPORT The pots are in excellent antique condition without any damage, repairs or crazing, and only minor flaws. There is a bit of discolouration on the rim of one of the pots; there are two tiny scuffs off one of the pots, and overall there is minor rubbing or scratching to both pots, as visible in the pictures. At some point in time there has been a rectangular sticker on one of the pots; the faint remnants are visible in one of the images. Antique British porcelain is never perfect. Kilns were fired on coal in the 1700s, 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 the pots are 15cm (6") wide incl. handles, and stand 13.5cm (5.25") tall.
  • Creator:
    William Billingsly (Artist),Derby (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Style:
    George III (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1790-1799
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1795
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. In perfect antique condition without damage, repairs or crazing, and minor rubbing.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: A-DER721stDibs: LU4805142341992

More From This Seller

View All
Derby Pair of Porcelain Ice Pails, Fine Flowers by William Billingsley, ca 1790
By Derby, William Billingsly
Located in London, GB
This is a pair of spectacular porcelain ice pails made by the Derby Porcelain Company in about 1790 and decorated with pattern 80, which consists of very fine flowers by the famous p...
Category

Antique 1790s English George III Porcelain

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

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 Plate, Monochrome Sepia Hunting Scene by John Brewer, ca 1795-1800
By John Brewer, Derby
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning and extremely rare plate made by Derby between about 1795 and 1800. This plate is not only beautiful, it is a true piece of history. The plate has a nice ribbed r...
Category

Antique Early 1800s English George III Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Barr Flight & Barr Plate, Gilt Vermiculé, Flowers by W. Billingsley, ca 1809 (2)
By William Billingsly, Barr, Flight & Barr Worcester
Located in London, GB
This is a beautiful plate made by Barr Flight & Barr between between 1808 and 1810. The plate was decorated by the famous painter William Billingsley with a gilt vermiculé (or vermic...
Category

Antique Early 1800s English Regency Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

You May Also Like

Good Quality Paris Porcelain Polychromed Double-Handled Cache Pot or Jardiniere
Located in San Francisco, CA
A good quality Paris porcelain polychromed double-handled cache pot or jardiniere; the cup-shaped bowl raised on a flared foot; with a hand-painted band of floral stems and fruit wit...
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Porcelain

Pair of Cache Pots by Christian Dior, circa 1980
By Christian Dior
Located in Paris, FR
Two important cache-pots made in Italy for Christian Dior around 1980. In glazed earthenware in imitation of marble inlay with gilt fillets. Signed.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Vases

Materials

Faience

Pair of Hammered Brass Cache Pot or Jardinere
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Pair of sculptural Turkish hammered brass with bronze handle water pots that could be used as cache pot or jardineres. Unusual almost modern shape compared to most.
Category

Vintage 1950s Turkish Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Vintage Concrete Cache Pot
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Elegant ,Vintage concrete planter in the form of a flower, very fine sculpting and design, highly decorative piece with great color and patina
Category

Vintage 1970s French Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Concrete

Monumental Pair of Italian Rose Marble Jardinières Garden Planters Cache Pot 24"
Located in Dayton, OH
A stately pair of Italian Marble rose jardiniere urn planters. Each massive pot is beautifully decorated with a rose and leaf motif. The bowl or lip is uniquely flared with a camel...
Category

Early 20th Century Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Marble

Pair of English 1920s Copper Cache-Pot Planters with Etched Foliage Decor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English copper cache-pot planters from the early 20th century, with ring pull handles, etched foliage and raised motifs. Created in England during the first quarter of the ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Copper

Recently Viewed

View All