Wileman Teacup Quartet, Japan Pattern on Snowdrop Shape, 1898

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Wileman Teacup Quartet, Japan Pattern on Snowdrop Shape, 1898

About the Item

This Wileman teacup quartet consisting of a teacup, saucer, side plate and large cake plate, is nothing less than sensational. It is decorated in the "Japan" pattern, which is perhaps one of the most bold and daring patterns Wileman ever brought out. The flowing shape of all the plates, 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. This set would make a perfect Christmas gift! 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 Japan pattern on the Snowdrop cup was registered in 1898. Wileman was known for their unique approach to design and many of the cups they made surprise us in modern times with their boldness, and this set is a great example of that. Initially the raw or biscuit items were printed in flow blue, an ancient Chinese technique that creates a wonderful cobalt blue slightly runny pattern; then the very precise and elaborate red Imari pattern was applied by transfer. This pattern is wonderfully gracious yet bold, with thick lines as well as fine detail. Then the items were glazed, and lastly the gilding was applied on top of the glaze - but this is perhaps the most striking feature as in a time when most designs were incredibly subtle and stylised, the gilding here was blotted on in an almost slap-dash manner, while at the same time a beautiful fish skin detail was applied to the cobalt blue areas. The result of all this is that the design is both subtle and bold, traditional and modern - you can't quite make up your mind! Condition report: This set is in very excellent antique condition, which is very rare for sets this age. The china is still very white and the pattern very bright. There are no chips, cracks, restorations or significant crazing - just a tiny bit on the cup, hardly visible with the naked eye, which causes a few very small discolourations near the bottom. All three plates ring true when tapped and have no crazing. The gilding is in untouched condition in most places, only a bit rubbed in the centre of the side plate and on the cup handle. Kilns were fired on coal in the late 1800s, and this meant that china from that period can have some firing specks from flying particles. One reason Wileman was able to bring high quality tableware on the market for modest prices is that they decided to pass items with firing specks rather than discarding them and creating costly waste. This cup trio is relatively free from these imperfections but you might see some under the glazing. All items carry the famous large Wileman mark in green with the Snowdrop shape registration number 272764. Hand painted in gold on each item is the registration number 6988. 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 (9.5"). 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.

Creator:
Shelley Pottery (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Width: 1 in (2.54 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 4
Style:
Late Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1890-1899
Date of Manufacture:
1898
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. No damage or repairs, only slight crazing on the teacup and a tiny bit of rubbing in two places.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: A-WIL1171stDibs: LU4805116849702