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Lot 55

18 October 2005, 14:00 BST
Oxford

Sold for £6,960 inc. premium

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A Chamberlain Worcester breakfast cup and saucer from the Horatia Service

circa 1802-5
decorated with 'Japan' pattern 240 of stylised flowers in typical colours of iron red, blue and gold, reserved with panels depicting Nelson's crest of the San Josef, a naval crown and his viscount's coronet, all richly gilt, 16.5cm diam. of saucer, inscribed pattern number 240 (both cracked and riveted) (2)

Footnotes

This service was ordered by Nelson in August 1802 when he visited Chamberlain's factory as part of a visit to the city of Worcester. The factory order books record a breakfast service of 148 pieces, as well as a complete dinner and dessert service and other ornaments. It appears that only the breakfast set was made, however and in the Merton inventory taken after Nelson's death, the Horatia set included '12 Breakfast Cups and 12 Saucers'. James Plant, a painter at the factory recounted his memories of the Chamberlain factory visit, describing Nelson as 'a very battered looking gentleman...he had lost an arm and an eye... Leaning on his left and only arm was the beautiful Lady Hamilton, evidently pleased at the interest excited by her companion; and then, amongst the general company following after, came a very infirm old gentleman - this was sir William Hamilton'. A similar breakfast cup and saucer was sold in these rooms, 6th December, 1995, lot 321

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