Early Derby Porcelain tea set, bearing the red Derby mark for the period circa 1800 to 1825. The coffee cans are earlier, dating from the period 1770-1782. There are 26 pieces, being eight deeply dished saucers, eight tea cups and four coffee cans, slop bowl, dished plate (for serving cake or whatever?), teapot and stand saucer, creamer jug and lidded sugar bowl. The pattern is a beautiful mix of Imari colours, showing strong Oriental influence. Lots of gilded highlights, cobalt blue and iron red. The saucers - which could be used for shallow dessert bowls also - measure 14 cm diameter and 3 cm high. The teacups are 8.5 cm diameter at the top rim, and the straight-sided coffee cans are 6.2 cm high and 6.6 cm diameter at the top rim. It was the normal practice to use the same saucers for both tea and coffee cups. The creamer has a lovely high handle, and a gold pattern painted inside the lip. Lidded sugar measures about 14 cm high, 17 cm wide and 10.5 cm deep. Teapot is 14 cm high and 30.5 cm wide handle to spout. It has an oval stand plate19 cm wide.
1 saucer has a small shallow rim chip, and one cup has a short crack and an attempt at restoration. The creamer has age staining to the handle, especially the top. The teapot has a very old restoration on the spout, a restoration (old, with internal staples) to the lid and internal crazing caused by usage - all could be tidied up by modern methods of restoration. The plate has a discoloured restoration across it.
This is a beautiful set, probably more for display than use. There is wonderful gilding work on the handles etc of the teapot. And, although there are some faults, the busy pattern takes the eye away from these. A rare survivor from the late 18th and early 19th century, George III period.

Antique Porcelain & Pottery
Antique Teapots & Tea Sets