Bonhams 1793 : A Derby dove-cote pastille burner, circa 1765

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18 May 2011 10:30 BST London, New Bond Street
Fine British Pottery and Porcelain
Back to auction 19105

A Derby dove-cote pastille burner, circa 1765

Modelled as a dove-cote of baluster form raised on a high rockwork base, with steps leading to a gilded door flanked by two brightly painted butterflies, applied with modelled flowers and leaves growing from branches, the scale moulded roof with two rows of holes above and beneath it with doves entering and leaving, the high domed cover with a large dove as the finial with its wings outstretched, a hound and partridges encircling the base, 38.6cm high (cover and neck restored) (2)

Sold for £18,600 inc. premium

Footnotes

Provenance: The Rous Lench Collection, sold at Christie's 30 May 1990, lot 402. Exhibited in the Chelsea China Exhibition, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, 1951, no.166 and in the English Ceramic Circle jubilee Exhibition 1977, no.144. The shape is mentioned in Duesbury family papers relating to the Derby China Factory '16-23 June 1770 - "Making of Pidgeon House Perfume Pot..."', see Barrett and Thorpe, Derby Porcelain (1971), p.151. The present example is illustrated as pl. B. A separate sales list of Derby Porcelain sold between 1781-83 includes 'A large dove house ornamented with natural flowers and richly gilt'. It is probable this piece is based on a Chelsea example, as in 1755-56 the Chelsea factory modelled a 'perfume pot in the form of a castle with a pigeon house, decorated with pigeons &c', see F Severne Mackenna, Chelsea Porcelain, The Red Anchor Wares (1951), fig. 92.

Category: Decorative Arts / British Ceramics

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