Wileman Porcelain Teacup Quartet, Japanese Buttercup Imari, Art Nouveau, 1902

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Wileman Porcelain Teacup Quartet, Japanese Buttercup Imari, Art Nouveau, 1902

About the Item

This is a porcelain teacup quartet made by Wileman & Co in 1902, which was the Art Nouveau period. It is decorated in a Japanese-inspired design. It consists of a teacup, saucer, side plate and a large cake plate. This is a very desired design that was unnamed in the pattern books (although registered under the number 7612, as painted in gold on the bottom of items), but I call it "buttercup imari". The pattern consists of beautifully printed buttercup flowers, while the colours follow the traditional Japanese Imari style with red and cobalt blue. The set is spectacularly shaped in the Snowdrop shape, and with the extra large cake plate it becomes a feast of shapes and colours. Wileman (later renamed Shelley and sometimes called Foley) was one of the most respected manufacturers of fine bone china tea sets in the late 19th and early 20th century, and many of their products are now collector's items. They made many different shapes of cups and the Snowdrop shape is perhaps the most sought after for its elegance and delicacy. The flowing shape of each item, combined with the very delicate shape of the cup and its perky upwards pointing handle, create a unity that is about the most stunning designs that have come from the Wileman potteries. Snowdrop cups were very difficult to fire and many have not survived into our times, making them more rare than other shapes. This buttercup imari pattern on Snowdrop items was registered in 1902. It is a gentle and playful pattern that was applied from an etching via inked paper onto the raw or biscuit china and then glazed over. The cobalt blue areas were then filled in by hand in enamel. Wileman was known for their unique approach to design and many of the cups they made surprise us in modern times with their boldness; this set impresses with its combination of gentle flowers and bold contrasts. The set is clearly inspired by the Art Nouveau period with its flowing shapes and graceful pattern. But what is interesting about it is that, in true Wileman style, the designer has chosen one of the humblest flowers in English nature; buttercups can be found in every English field during the summer months and although this design looks so sophisticated, it is a delight to look closer and realise it's been made with such a ordinary little flower. Condition report This set is in excellent antique condition with no damage or signs of wear other than some stacking wear on the cake plate and some rubbing of the gilt edges of the items. The pattern is still bright and the cobalt blue areas, which typically tends to flake, is in great condition. The porcelain is still white and there is no crazing anywhere on this set. When washing this set it is important not to soak it, as this could make the cobalt blue enamel flake. Antique British porcelain is never perfect. Kilns were fired on coal in the 1800s, 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. Dimensions (diameter at the widest point): cup 8.8cm (3.5"), saucer 14.3cm (5 5/8"), side plate 18.4cm (7 1/4"), cake plate 24cm (9 1/4").

Creator:
Wileman (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Width: 1 in (2.54 cm)Length: 1 in (2.54 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 4
Style:
Art Nouveau (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1900-1909
Date of Manufacture:
1902
Condition:
Excellent condition without damage, repairs or crazing; only some light stacking wear.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A-WIL1631stDibs: LU4805117992452