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An exceptional Worcester hexagonal vase and cover, circa 1758 image 1
An exceptional Worcester hexagonal vase and cover, circa 1758 image 2
An exceptional Worcester hexagonal vase and cover, circa 1758 image 3
Lot 68

An exceptional Worcester hexagonal vase and cover, circa 1758

30 June 2010, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £12,000 inc. premium

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An exceptional Worcester hexagonal vase and cover, circa 1758

With gently tapering side panels beneath a rounded shoulder and short neck, the domed cover with a narrow flange and pointed mushroom finial, painted in blue with the 'Fancy Bird in a Tree' pattern, the alternate side panels painted with long-tailed birds, flowering branches and peony trees, the borders around the shoulder and cover with three quatrelobed panels of Chinoiserie fishing scenes on a ground of peonies and plant scrolls, the neck and flange with diaper trellis, 37.5cm high, corresponding workman's marks on the cover and base (2)

Footnotes

This is the best example of this type of vase that Geoffrey Godden has ever seen. It is illustrated in his book English Blue and White Porcelain (2004),p.23, pl.9, alongside a much inferior specimen in order to emphasise the qualities this piece represents. The potting is thin with relatively little distortion. The cover fits very well and the blue is not blurred at all. A pair of vases of comparable quality that belonged to Dr Severne Mackenna was sold in these rooms on 10 December 1997, lot 348. Dr Mackenna illustrated these in his own book Worcester Porcelain (1950) pl. 11, describing them as 'Amongst the most beautiful of Worcester's blue-painted productions.... the decoration could not be improved'. The ultimate inspiration is probably Japanese Kakiemon vases of so-called 'Hampton Court' type. Worcester changed the proportions of the cover and flange of the Japanese shape, transforming the appearance. The decoration, especially the border design, is Chinese inspired and yet appears to be Worcester's own invention. It is the only blue and white pattern used on this shape of vase at Worcester and would be a credit to any manufactory.

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