Miles Mason Orphaned Porcelain Coffee Can, White, Bat Printed Minerva

This is a very charming orphaned coffee cup made by the Bow Porcelain factory in about 1755. The cup is decorated in a Chinese "famille rose" peony pattern. This cup would have been part of a large tea service, and the tiny size shows how expensive coffee was in the 18th Century. The Bow Porcelain Factory was one of the first potteries in Britain to make soft paste porcelain, and most probably the very first to use bone ash, which later got perfected by Josiah Spode to what is now the universally used "bone china". Bow was the main competitor of the Chelsea Porcelain Factory, but where Chelsea made very fine slipcast porcelain, Bow made a different soft paste porcelain that tended to be softer and could be pressed into moulds. Bow served a larger public generally at lower prices. The factory was only in operation between 1743 and 1774, after which the tradition got incorporated into some of the later famous potteries such as Worcester and Derby. The cup is unmarked, which is normal for Bow items of this era. Condition report the cup is in excellent condition without any damage or repairs. There are various glazing imperfections, which are quite normal for porcelain of this era. Antique British porcelain...

This is a beautiful orphaned teacup made by Spode in about 1810. It bears a lavish Japanese-inspired Imari pattern. Spode was the great pioneer among the Georgian potters in England. Around the year 1800 he perfected the bone china recipe that has been used by British potters ever since, and he was also the leading potter behind the technique of transferware, making it possible for English potters to replace the Chinese export china, which had come to an end around that time, with their own designs. This was fundamental to a thriving industry that would last for about 150 years and provide half the world with their tableware. Spode porcelain is regarded as one of the highest quality porcelains around; for a soft-paste porcelain it is surprisingly hard and fine, and has a wonderful bright white colour. The pattern on this can is called "Dollar" pattern, a very famous pattern that was used by English potters in the 18th and early 19th Century. It is obvious why it is called “dollar” - but its origin is less obvious! It is thought that this pattern was derived from a very old Chinese pattern depicting a tree with elaborate foliage that hides a Chinese character representing longevity or happiness. Traditionally, this went with a an image called “Taotie”, which was used on very ancient bronze vases...

This is a porcelain blue and white, gilded Coffee Can made by Miles Mason (Mason's), Staffordshire Potteries, in the early 19th century George 111rd period, circa 1805-1810. The piece is well potted with vertical flutes, a slightly wavy rim and the loop handle with the distinctive thumb rest spur. The can is decorated in the under-glaze blue printed Pagoda or Broseley, chinoiserie Willow pattern, (sometimes called Boy at the Door pattern). The piece is also richly gilded in Miles Mason pattern 50 as illustrated on Page 78 of the book; Miles Mason Patterns and Shapes, produced by the Mason's Collectors' Club. The coffee can is also hand gilded around the rims and on the outer handle. The piece is fully marked to the base with an under-glaze blue printed square seal mark (pseudo Chinese) as illustrated on page 92 of the above publication. Overall a very good Georgian coffee can...

This is a Porcelain blue and white, hand gilded Saucer Dish / Bowl made by Miles Mason (Mason's), Staffordshire Potteries, England around the turn of the 18th century, circa 1805. ...