Derby tea bowl and saucer pattern 31 c.1790

I think the early Derby patterns are still some of the best they ever produced.  A balance between the highly decorative influences of the Chelsea factory and the later period of restrained elegance.

Here we have a fine example of an early pattern from the pattern book, number 31.

The rim is decorated with the familiar dog tooth gilding but in this case it appears that it has been feathered to give an interesting look.  

The gold is a wonderful warm colour of the early gilding, which is soft and often in a badly worn condition on these early wares.  

Luckily this example has been looked after with only a little ware to the rim of the bowl.

There is a fine hairline running though one side of the saucer which I have documented in the last photographs.  This is not very visible and it displays really well and seems to be perfectly stable.

A really lovely early Derby ribbed tea bowl and saucer. 


Makers marks:
Puce Derby mark with pattern number 31

Dimensions:
Bowl 5.2 cm tall 8.2 cm dia at rim
Saucer 14.2 cm dia

Weight:
209 g

Age:
230 years

Condition:
Very good.  The saucer has a long straight hairline, but appears to be stable and it is only possible to see this in a certain light.  The last photographs show this.  Displays very well.  Only slight ware to gilding on the edge of the bowl.  A very nice and numbered example of pattern 31.

Maker:
Derby