6 Large Ornement Pedistols for the Grand Popore.5 Large Popore Perfume Pots to Ditto.1 Square Perfume Pot Deckarated with heads of the 4 seasons.Roberts, Making Cases hall the week.Piggot, Working the hors in the Mill, and fettling of rims.Inglefield, Pounding of the glass, and cutting of wood.
Recd. of Mr. Duesbury in full of all Demands for self and the a Bove.
Richd. Barton.
1770.A Weekly Bill at Chelsea from Decr. 1 to the 8.
Rec. of Mr. Duesbury in full of all demands for Self and the a Bove.
Exd. and Ent.
Richd. Barton.
Amongst other interesting entries from week to week in the bills, I have chosen a few examples to illustrate the kind of work then carried on in this factory.
Examples of this kind[15]could be multiplied to any extent, but to bring the extracts a little later down in date, I shall content myself by giving the “weekly bill at Chelsea from June 19 to the 26, 1773,” to show that the same hands, with the addition of a modeller named Gauron, were still employed:—
Recd. of Mr. Duesbury in full of all demands for Self and the a Bove.
Richd. Barton.
Before Mr. Duesbury purchased the Chelsea works the mark of that manufactory was an anchor,and to this Mr. Duesburyadded the letter D; and the mark now known as distinguishing the “Derby Chelsea” ware was thus—generally in gold. Examples of this period are of comparative rarity, and are eagerly sought after by collectors.
Fig. 45.
Fig. 45.
In 1772, in the very curious MS. “Lists of Gent., &c., in Derby, 1772,” in my own possession (a list prepared for official purposes over elections), are the following entries under “Southwark,” as that part of Derby was called. In one:—
and in the other list:—
In June, 1773, Mr. Duesbury took the lease of premises (late the Castle Tavern) in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, for a warehouse for his Derby and Chelsea ware, and here, with this William Wood as his agent (afterwards succeeded by J. Lygo), he exhibited and kept a large stock of his manufactures, and carried on, in conjunction with his two works, a very thriving and lucrative trade. Here he issued a “List of the principal additions made this year to the new invented Groups, Jars, Vases, Urns, Beakers, Cups, Chalices, &., of Mr. Duesbury’s Derby and Chelsea Manufactory of Porcelaines, Biscuits, and China Ware, both Ornamental and Useful.” This “list” is printed in small quarto. Among the articles enumerated, one hundred and twenty-three in number, the following will be sufficient to show their beautiful and elaborate nature, and the amount of labour and artistic skill which they exhibited:—
“1. Their present majesties, the king and queen, and royal family, in three grouped pieces of biscuit. The centre piece represents the king in a Vandyke dress, on a blue and gold basement, supported by four lions leaning on an altar richly ornamented in blue and gold, with hanging trophies of the polite arts and sciences. The crown,munde, and sceptre reposing on a cushion, of crimson, embroidered, fringed, and tapelled in gold. 14 inches.“42. A largebeaker, sky-blue ground spotted in white; two dolphins, lion footed, standing on white goats’ heads, form the two anses in crimson and white edged with gold, the mouth of the beaker and the top of the vase are furrowed with twisted crenures in white and gold; the zone of the top is adorned with golden lions, turned toward white and gold marks; the rim of the cup part is foliated and crenulated friese, white and gold, with detached patera, the pediment striped with gold in alternate triangles, the foot covered with gilt leaves; the pedestal in white and gold has four white sphinxes for angular supporters, over which runs a gold festoon fixed to the surbase; the whole, with the pedestals, 20 inches.“105. A whitegallon cask, with gold edged hoops, adorned with four trophies of music emblems of love, in chiaro-oscuro, surmounted by a young coloured Bacchus, sitting on the bung tasting a grape, of which he holds a basket full between his legs, and a cup in his left hand, the barrel is made to turn round on a pivot fixed in anormolupediment, a satyr’s mask holds anormolucock in his mouth, which opens and shuts by a spring. 18 inches.”
“1. Their present majesties, the king and queen, and royal family, in three grouped pieces of biscuit. The centre piece represents the king in a Vandyke dress, on a blue and gold basement, supported by four lions leaning on an altar richly ornamented in blue and gold, with hanging trophies of the polite arts and sciences. The crown,munde, and sceptre reposing on a cushion, of crimson, embroidered, fringed, and tapelled in gold. 14 inches.
“42. A largebeaker, sky-blue ground spotted in white; two dolphins, lion footed, standing on white goats’ heads, form the two anses in crimson and white edged with gold, the mouth of the beaker and the top of the vase are furrowed with twisted crenures in white and gold; the zone of the top is adorned with golden lions, turned toward white and gold marks; the rim of the cup part is foliated and crenulated friese, white and gold, with detached patera, the pediment striped with gold in alternate triangles, the foot covered with gilt leaves; the pedestal in white and gold has four white sphinxes for angular supporters, over which runs a gold festoon fixed to the surbase; the whole, with the pedestals, 20 inches.
“105. A whitegallon cask, with gold edged hoops, adorned with four trophies of music emblems of love, in chiaro-oscuro, surmounted by a young coloured Bacchus, sitting on the bung tasting a grape, of which he holds a basket full between his legs, and a cup in his left hand, the barrel is made to turn round on a pivot fixed in anormolupediment, a satyr’s mask holds anormolucock in his mouth, which opens and shuts by a spring. 18 inches.”
The works at Chelsea were not finally discontinued until the year 1784, when they were destroyed by Mr. Duesbury, the kilns and every part of the work pulled down, and what was available sent down to Derby. The removal of the kilns, and the work of demolition, was entrusted to Robert Boyer, the painter, &c., the old and faithful servant whose name appears in the “weekly bills” above given; and when his work was done he removed to Derby at twenty-five shillings per week in place of a guinea, with house rent free, and fire as heretofore.[16]It is also worthy of remark that Mr. Duesbury purchased the Bow business, and owned the pottery at Pedlar’s Acre, at Lambeth, the rents of which he assigned in 1781.
Fig. 46.
Fig. 46.
Periodical sales of stock were held in London by Mr. Duesbury, and judging by the catalogues of “Sales by Auction” by Messrs. Christie and Ansell, of Pall Mall, and “Sales by Candle,” by Mr. Hunter, the articles sent up for the purpose were excellent examples of the manufacture, and just such as were likely to be sought after by the traders—the “chinamen” of London. The descriptions of the goods were of much the same character as in the “list” referred to, with this addition, that in the late catalogues the price (the trade price possibly) was attached to each article. I have by me the priced catalogues of several years’ sales, and it is highly interesting to examine them, and to see the prices the different articles realised at the sales. They give, perhaps, one of the best insights into the porcelain trade of that period of anything I have seen. A few items, taken at random, from some of these catalogues, will be useful to the collector. The “Catalogue of an elegant and extensive assortment of Derby and Chelsea Porcelaine” for sale on May 10th, 1781, and four following days, has a long and full title-page,and occupies thirty-two octavo pages. The company were invited to this sale by cards, of which the following is a copy:—
“At MessrsChristie and Ansell’s great Room, nextCumberland House, Pall Mall, will be sold by Auction onTuesdaynext, the 7th ofMay1782, and the Four following Days, an elegant and extensive Assortment of theDerbyandChelsea Porcelain, consisting ofTableandDesert Services,TeaandCoffee Equipages,Biscuit Ornaments, &c., &c.“To be viewed onSaturdaythe 4th ofMay, and till the Sale (Sunday excepted), which will begin each Day at 12 o’clock.“N.B.—Mr.Duesburyflatters himself the Produce of his Manufactory this Year will be found far superior to any Thing he has ever yet exhibited, and therefore humbly hopes he shall experience the wonted generous Countenance of the Nobility, and his Friends in general, whose Patronage (with the highest Sense of Gratitude) he will be ever studious to deserve.”
“At MessrsChristie and Ansell’s great Room, nextCumberland House, Pall Mall, will be sold by Auction onTuesdaynext, the 7th ofMay1782, and the Four following Days, an elegant and extensive Assortment of theDerbyandChelsea Porcelain, consisting ofTableandDesert Services,TeaandCoffee Equipages,Biscuit Ornaments, &c., &c.
“To be viewed onSaturdaythe 4th ofMay, and till the Sale (Sunday excepted), which will begin each Day at 12 o’clock.
“N.B.—Mr.Duesburyflatters himself the Produce of his Manufactory this Year will be found far superior to any Thing he has ever yet exhibited, and therefore humbly hopes he shall experience the wonted generous Countenance of the Nobility, and his Friends in general, whose Patronage (with the highest Sense of Gratitude) he will be ever studious to deserve.”
The following are a few of the lots offered. It was a five days’ sale, and there were 529 lots in all. The figures I have placed in brackets, thus [ ] are the prices the lots realised at this sale:—
A complete set of tea china, waved, shank’d, enamel’d with a border of green flowers and gold edge, 41 pieces. [£3 3s.]Six French-shape chocolate-cups and saucers, enamel’d with festoons of green husks and pink and gold border. [18s.]One small-size group representing Music, in biscuit. [21s.]One pair of element-groups representing Air and Water, and 4 standing seasons, in ditto (biscuit). [£1 18s.]An elegant Etruscan-shape vase, enamel’d in compartments with a figure of Shenston, and fine blue ground striped with gold.One set of five beautiful vases, enamel’d in compartments with landscapes and figures, richly finished with green and gold.A beautiful dejune, enamel’d in compartments with Cupids and striped with gold.A beautiful large group of figures of the three Virtues, in biscuit. [30s.]A beautiful desert-service, enamel’d with coloured flowers and fine blue and gold leafage border, consisting of 24 plates, 2 large oblong compotiers, 1 ditto with a foot, 2 heart-shape, 4 round, and 4 square ditto, 1 pair cream-bowls, covers, stand, and spoons.One beautiful vase, enamel’d in compartments with a landscape on one side and Romeo and Juliet on the other, richly finished with chas’d and burnish’d gold.One pair of ewer-shape vases, enamel’d in compartments with figures and richly gilt.An elegant inkstand, fine blue and gold. [10s. 6d.]One group of Jason and Medea before Diana.One set of (three) vases, beautifully painted in compartments with jett figures, and richly finished with chas’d and burnish’d gold. [£7.]One pair of Etruscan-shape vases, enamel’d with trophies and figures richly gilt.A beautiful dejune, enamel’d with vases, &c., rich, finished with fine blue and gold. [63s.]Six caudle cups, covers and stands, peacock pattern, white and gold. [25s.]A superb and elegant pair of caudle cups, covers and stands, enamel’d in compartments with figures and striped with gold.One pair of small foxes, in biscuit. [10s.]A figure of Time and a set of the Seasons, enamel’d. [35s.]One small group representing Music, 1 pair Sportsman and Companion, 4 small groups, and 4 small flower vases, in biscuit. [£2 6s.]One pair of Dragon candlesticks, green and gold.A beautiful three-quart punch-bowl, enamel’d with flowers and rich blue and gold border [17s.]One superb and elegant vase with therms, beautifully enamel’d with figures, the Three Graces on one side and a landscape on the other, in compartments, enriched with chased and burnished gold, and 2 ewer-shape vases to match, figure of Virtue on one side and Prudence on the other.One pair of basket-work antique-handled vases, enamel’d with figures, Pomona and Prudence on one side and a landscape on the other, in compartments, gilt to match.One beautiful large group of two Virgins awaking Cupid, in biscuit. [42s.]One ditto to match of two Bacchants dressing Pan with a garland of flowers.One pair of beautiful groups representing Poetry and Music, in biscuit.One set of figures, the four quarters and four small groups, in biscuit. [30s.]One large punch-bowl, enamel’d with festoons of coloured flowers and gold edge. [12s.]One large perfume-vase, beautifully painted in figures in compartments representing Eneas meeting Venus before he enters Carthage, richly gilt.One pair of large beakers to match, enamel’d in compartments with figures, on one side Bacchus and Ariadne, and on the other Venus and Adonis, richly gilt.A very rich and beautiful compleat desert service, enamel’d with different vases, festoons of green husks, and fine blue and gold, consisting of 24 plates, 2 large oblong compotiers, 1 ditto with a foot, 4 round, 2 heart-shape, 4 oval, 4 oblong ditto, and a pair of cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£22 1s.]Four pierced desert flower-vases, 1 pair fitting figures, and 4 shooting Cupids, in biscuit.One pair of fox-hunters’ cups.A very beautiful Seve-pattern compleat desert service, enamel’d with roses, fine mosaic border, richly finished with chased and burnish’d gold, consisting of 24 plates, 3 oblong compotiers, 2 heart-shape, 4 round, 4 square, 4 small oblong ditto, and a pair cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£25 4s.]One pair of sitting religious figures, in biscuit. [9s.]One pair Satyr-head drinking-mugs, enamell’d and gilt. [8s.]One beautiful figure of Shakespear, in biscuit, and fine blue and gold pedestal. [21s.]One pair large rummers, enamel’d with festoons of coloured flowers, and gilt. [6s. 6d.]Two large leaves, 4 small ditto, and one round fruit-dish. [13s.]One group of 3 boys playing at hazard, and one ditto of a galanter show, in biscuit.Six Egg-spoons, 6 artichoke-cups, and 6 asparagus-servers, enamel’d, fine blue and white. [9s.]One sett of 3 vases, enamel’d with birds and gilt.One large-size group representing Poetry and Music, in biscuit. [22s.]One pair of large gardeners, 2 pair of muses, and 4 small flower-vases in ditto.An elegant stand for different cheeses and butter, enamel’d with vazes and fine mazarine blue and gold (rivetted). [21s.]1 sett of 5 elegant jars, enamel’d in compartments with groups of natural flowers and fine blue and gold.A beautiful large group of 3 graces and 2 cupids, supposed to be crowning her Majesty with garland of flowers, in biscuit.One pair of element groups, 1 pair of large fruit and flower figures, and one pair figures representing earth and water, in ditto. [42s.]A neat chimney-piece embellished with composition ornaments.Six beautiful coffee or chocolate cups and saucers, enamel’d with Cupids, fine blue ring and gilt.A very rich and beautiful desert-service, enamel’d with roses and fine mazarine blue and gold border, consisting of 24 plates, 2 large oblong compotiers, 1 ditto with a foot, 2 heart-shape, 4 oval, 4 octagon, and 4 shell-shape ditto, and a pair of cream bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£28 7s.]One beautiful group of 2 Virgins awaking Cupid, and a ditto of 2 bacchants dressing Pan with a garland of flowers, in biscuit. [£3 18s.]One superb and elegant vase with therms, beautifully enamel’d with figures of wisdom and Vigilance on one side, and a landscape on the other in compartments, and richly ornamented with fine blue and gold, 2 ewer-shape vases to match, figure of Virtue on one side and fortitude on the other, with landscape and fine blue and gold.One pair of elegant tripods richly ornamented with fine blue and gold.One pair of beautiful antique lamps.One beautiful vase, enamel’d in compartments, with a figure of rhetoric and a landscape enrich’d with gold stripes.Two Neptune-head drinking-mugs.One figure of Andromache weeping over the ashes of Hector, and one pair of Madona groups, in biscuit.A large dove-house ornamented with natural flowers and richly gilt.One large oval-shape vase and two egg-shape, enamel’d with Cupids gathering the vintage, richly finished with burnished gold.One pair of elegant figures, Bacchus and Ariadne, 1 pair sportsman and companion, and 1 pair harlequin and columbine, in biscuit. [37s.]One group of 4 Cupids, in biscuit. [17s.]Four pierced flower vases, 2 pair gardeners, and 1 pair small dancing groups in ditto. [34s.]A superb and elegant large vase with therms, beautifully enamel’d with figures of the three Graces on one side and a landscape on the other, 1 pair of ewer-shape vases to match, figure of Virtue and History on one side and landscapes on the other, in compartments, enrich’d with chased and burnished gold.One pair of Egg-shape vases to match, enamel’d with figures of Prudence and Rhetoric.Four small desert flower-vases, in biscuit. [9s.]A beautiful group of 4 Cupids, 2 pair of small music figures, 1 pair French shepherds, and 4 small vases, in biscuit. [£2 3s.]One pair large dancing groups, in biscuit. [24s.]A pair of uncommonly large octagon jars (near 2 feet high) decorated with natural flowers and finely enamel’d with figures, landscapes, &c., richly ornamented with chased and burnish’d gold, the figures represent a votaress of Bacchus and Innocence washing her hands at an altar.Six breakfast basons and saucers, enamel’d with green festoons and gold edges.One pair of large perfume-vases, enamel’d with flowers, ornamented with dogs, rabbits, &c., and gilt.An elegant Seve-pattern complete desert-service, enamel’d with roses and rich mosaic and gold border, consisting of 3 dozen plates, 2 large oblong compotiers, 4 round, 2 heart-shape, 4 large square, 4 small oblong, and one large ditto with a foot for the center, and a pair of cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£30 9s.]One pair groups, the arts and sciences, and a pair large gardeners, in biscuit. [30s.]One superb and elegant large vase with therms, enamel’d in compartments with figures, the three Graces, enrich’d with chas’d burnish’d and gold. [£8 8s.]One pair of beautiful oval jars to match, the figures represent Apollo and Agrippina lamenting over the ashes of Germanicus. [£6 6s.]One of pair small enamel’d foxes. [10s.]A pair of hares’ heads, enamel’d, after nature. [10s.]Three elegant vases, enamel’d with rose-coloured figures from Ovid, and enriched with gold. [£9 19s. 6d.]One pair large dogs, enamel’d.A desert-service, enamel’d with roses, festoons of green husks, and pink and gold border, consisting of 24 plates, 3 large oblong compotiers, 4 round, 2 heart-shape, and 4 small oblong ditto, and a pair of cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£13 2s. 6d.]Six elegant ice cream cups, enamel’d with festoons of red husks, and fine blue and gold.Two pair of large boys riding on dolphin and fawn, in biscuit.
A complete set of tea china, waved, shank’d, enamel’d with a border of green flowers and gold edge, 41 pieces. [£3 3s.]
Six French-shape chocolate-cups and saucers, enamel’d with festoons of green husks and pink and gold border. [18s.]
One small-size group representing Music, in biscuit. [21s.]
One pair of element-groups representing Air and Water, and 4 standing seasons, in ditto (biscuit). [£1 18s.]
An elegant Etruscan-shape vase, enamel’d in compartments with a figure of Shenston, and fine blue ground striped with gold.
One set of five beautiful vases, enamel’d in compartments with landscapes and figures, richly finished with green and gold.
A beautiful dejune, enamel’d in compartments with Cupids and striped with gold.
A beautiful large group of figures of the three Virtues, in biscuit. [30s.]
A beautiful desert-service, enamel’d with coloured flowers and fine blue and gold leafage border, consisting of 24 plates, 2 large oblong compotiers, 1 ditto with a foot, 2 heart-shape, 4 round, and 4 square ditto, 1 pair cream-bowls, covers, stand, and spoons.
One beautiful vase, enamel’d in compartments with a landscape on one side and Romeo and Juliet on the other, richly finished with chas’d and burnish’d gold.
One pair of ewer-shape vases, enamel’d in compartments with figures and richly gilt.
An elegant inkstand, fine blue and gold. [10s. 6d.]
One group of Jason and Medea before Diana.
One set of (three) vases, beautifully painted in compartments with jett figures, and richly finished with chas’d and burnish’d gold. [£7.]
One pair of Etruscan-shape vases, enamel’d with trophies and figures richly gilt.
A beautiful dejune, enamel’d with vases, &c., rich, finished with fine blue and gold. [63s.]
Six caudle cups, covers and stands, peacock pattern, white and gold. [25s.]
A superb and elegant pair of caudle cups, covers and stands, enamel’d in compartments with figures and striped with gold.
One pair of small foxes, in biscuit. [10s.]
A figure of Time and a set of the Seasons, enamel’d. [35s.]
One small group representing Music, 1 pair Sportsman and Companion, 4 small groups, and 4 small flower vases, in biscuit. [£2 6s.]
One pair of Dragon candlesticks, green and gold.
A beautiful three-quart punch-bowl, enamel’d with flowers and rich blue and gold border [17s.]
One superb and elegant vase with therms, beautifully enamel’d with figures, the Three Graces on one side and a landscape on the other, in compartments, enriched with chased and burnished gold, and 2 ewer-shape vases to match, figure of Virtue on one side and Prudence on the other.
One pair of basket-work antique-handled vases, enamel’d with figures, Pomona and Prudence on one side and a landscape on the other, in compartments, gilt to match.
One beautiful large group of two Virgins awaking Cupid, in biscuit. [42s.]
One ditto to match of two Bacchants dressing Pan with a garland of flowers.
One pair of beautiful groups representing Poetry and Music, in biscuit.
One set of figures, the four quarters and four small groups, in biscuit. [30s.]
One large punch-bowl, enamel’d with festoons of coloured flowers and gold edge. [12s.]
One large perfume-vase, beautifully painted in figures in compartments representing Eneas meeting Venus before he enters Carthage, richly gilt.
One pair of large beakers to match, enamel’d in compartments with figures, on one side Bacchus and Ariadne, and on the other Venus and Adonis, richly gilt.
A very rich and beautiful compleat desert service, enamel’d with different vases, festoons of green husks, and fine blue and gold, consisting of 24 plates, 2 large oblong compotiers, 1 ditto with a foot, 4 round, 2 heart-shape, 4 oval, 4 oblong ditto, and a pair of cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£22 1s.]
Four pierced desert flower-vases, 1 pair fitting figures, and 4 shooting Cupids, in biscuit.
One pair of fox-hunters’ cups.
A very beautiful Seve-pattern compleat desert service, enamel’d with roses, fine mosaic border, richly finished with chased and burnish’d gold, consisting of 24 plates, 3 oblong compotiers, 2 heart-shape, 4 round, 4 square, 4 small oblong ditto, and a pair cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£25 4s.]
One pair of sitting religious figures, in biscuit. [9s.]
One pair Satyr-head drinking-mugs, enamell’d and gilt. [8s.]
One beautiful figure of Shakespear, in biscuit, and fine blue and gold pedestal. [21s.]
One pair large rummers, enamel’d with festoons of coloured flowers, and gilt. [6s. 6d.]
Two large leaves, 4 small ditto, and one round fruit-dish. [13s.]
One group of 3 boys playing at hazard, and one ditto of a galanter show, in biscuit.
Six Egg-spoons, 6 artichoke-cups, and 6 asparagus-servers, enamel’d, fine blue and white. [9s.]
One sett of 3 vases, enamel’d with birds and gilt.
One large-size group representing Poetry and Music, in biscuit. [22s.]
One pair of large gardeners, 2 pair of muses, and 4 small flower-vases in ditto.
An elegant stand for different cheeses and butter, enamel’d with vazes and fine mazarine blue and gold (rivetted). [21s.]
1 sett of 5 elegant jars, enamel’d in compartments with groups of natural flowers and fine blue and gold.
A beautiful large group of 3 graces and 2 cupids, supposed to be crowning her Majesty with garland of flowers, in biscuit.
One pair of element groups, 1 pair of large fruit and flower figures, and one pair figures representing earth and water, in ditto. [42s.]
A neat chimney-piece embellished with composition ornaments.
Six beautiful coffee or chocolate cups and saucers, enamel’d with Cupids, fine blue ring and gilt.
A very rich and beautiful desert-service, enamel’d with roses and fine mazarine blue and gold border, consisting of 24 plates, 2 large oblong compotiers, 1 ditto with a foot, 2 heart-shape, 4 oval, 4 octagon, and 4 shell-shape ditto, and a pair of cream bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£28 7s.]
One beautiful group of 2 Virgins awaking Cupid, and a ditto of 2 bacchants dressing Pan with a garland of flowers, in biscuit. [£3 18s.]
One superb and elegant vase with therms, beautifully enamel’d with figures of wisdom and Vigilance on one side, and a landscape on the other in compartments, and richly ornamented with fine blue and gold, 2 ewer-shape vases to match, figure of Virtue on one side and fortitude on the other, with landscape and fine blue and gold.
One pair of elegant tripods richly ornamented with fine blue and gold.
One pair of beautiful antique lamps.
One beautiful vase, enamel’d in compartments, with a figure of rhetoric and a landscape enrich’d with gold stripes.
Two Neptune-head drinking-mugs.
One figure of Andromache weeping over the ashes of Hector, and one pair of Madona groups, in biscuit.
A large dove-house ornamented with natural flowers and richly gilt.
One large oval-shape vase and two egg-shape, enamel’d with Cupids gathering the vintage, richly finished with burnished gold.
One pair of elegant figures, Bacchus and Ariadne, 1 pair sportsman and companion, and 1 pair harlequin and columbine, in biscuit. [37s.]
One group of 4 Cupids, in biscuit. [17s.]
Four pierced flower vases, 2 pair gardeners, and 1 pair small dancing groups in ditto. [34s.]
A superb and elegant large vase with therms, beautifully enamel’d with figures of the three Graces on one side and a landscape on the other, 1 pair of ewer-shape vases to match, figure of Virtue and History on one side and landscapes on the other, in compartments, enrich’d with chased and burnished gold.
One pair of Egg-shape vases to match, enamel’d with figures of Prudence and Rhetoric.
Four small desert flower-vases, in biscuit. [9s.]
A beautiful group of 4 Cupids, 2 pair of small music figures, 1 pair French shepherds, and 4 small vases, in biscuit. [£2 3s.]
One pair large dancing groups, in biscuit. [24s.]
A pair of uncommonly large octagon jars (near 2 feet high) decorated with natural flowers and finely enamel’d with figures, landscapes, &c., richly ornamented with chased and burnish’d gold, the figures represent a votaress of Bacchus and Innocence washing her hands at an altar.
Six breakfast basons and saucers, enamel’d with green festoons and gold edges.
One pair of large perfume-vases, enamel’d with flowers, ornamented with dogs, rabbits, &c., and gilt.
An elegant Seve-pattern complete desert-service, enamel’d with roses and rich mosaic and gold border, consisting of 3 dozen plates, 2 large oblong compotiers, 4 round, 2 heart-shape, 4 large square, 4 small oblong, and one large ditto with a foot for the center, and a pair of cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£30 9s.]
One pair groups, the arts and sciences, and a pair large gardeners, in biscuit. [30s.]
One superb and elegant large vase with therms, enamel’d in compartments with figures, the three Graces, enrich’d with chas’d burnish’d and gold. [£8 8s.]
One pair of beautiful oval jars to match, the figures represent Apollo and Agrippina lamenting over the ashes of Germanicus. [£6 6s.]
One of pair small enamel’d foxes. [10s.]
A pair of hares’ heads, enamel’d, after nature. [10s.]
Three elegant vases, enamel’d with rose-coloured figures from Ovid, and enriched with gold. [£9 19s. 6d.]
One pair large dogs, enamel’d.
A desert-service, enamel’d with roses, festoons of green husks, and pink and gold border, consisting of 24 plates, 3 large oblong compotiers, 4 round, 2 heart-shape, and 4 small oblong ditto, and a pair of cream-bowls, covers, stands, and spoons. [£13 2s. 6d.]
Six elegant ice cream cups, enamel’d with festoons of red husks, and fine blue and gold.
Two pair of large boys riding on dolphin and fawn, in biscuit.
One of these sale catalogues, at the risk of occupying much space, I here reprint entire, because I conceive nothing could more completely show the character of the goods, ornamental as well as useful, which at that time were the staple productions of the Derby works. It cannot, I opine, but be of immense use to collectors in assisting them to correctly appropriate and date theirexamples. The catalogue which I now reprint (one of several years in my possession) is of folio size, and occupies twelve pages. The selling prices are printed in the catalogue; the prices realised at the sale, however, were not, on the average, more than one-half the printed ones. The proceeds of the whole sale was £276 4s.It is of the year 1785. The title-page is as follows:—
“Four Months Promp.——CHINA, for SALE, by the CANDLE, at Mr.William Duesbury’sWarehouse, inBedford-Street, Covent-Garden,OnWednesdaythe 9th, andThursdaythe 10th ofMarch, 1785, at Six of the Clock in the Afternoon, A very goodAssortmentof Derby Figures and Candlesticks, compleat Tea and Desert Services, Caudle and Chocolate Cups, &c. of the newest and best Patterns. To be viewed onMondayandTuesday, and ‘till the Time of Sale. To be Sold byAuctionby WILLIAM HUNTER,Sworn Broker, No. 59,New Bond-Street.—Printed by Joseph Good, Stationer, &c., No. 79, Fleet Street.”
“Four Months Promp.——CHINA, for SALE, by the CANDLE, at Mr.William Duesbury’sWarehouse, inBedford-Street, Covent-Garden,OnWednesdaythe 9th, andThursdaythe 10th ofMarch, 1785, at Six of the Clock in the Afternoon, A very goodAssortmentof Derby Figures and Candlesticks, compleat Tea and Desert Services, Caudle and Chocolate Cups, &c. of the newest and best Patterns. To be viewed onMondayandTuesday, and ‘till the Time of Sale. To be Sold byAuctionby WILLIAM HUNTER,Sworn Broker, No. 59,New Bond-Street.—Printed by Joseph Good, Stationer, &c., No. 79, Fleet Street.”
At the back of the title are the conditions, thus:—
“Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, March 9, 1785.—Conditions of the Sale.—I. The Goods are all to be taken away without any Allowance at the Buyer’s Expence, on or before the 14th day ofMarch, 1785, and paid for on delivery.—II. Buyer’s Notes, approved of by the proprietor, will be taken payable four Months after date.—III. The Proprietor will allow a discount of 2½per Cent.to those who chuse to pay ready money.—IV. Such goods as shall not be taken away as aforesaid, the Proprietor shall be at liberty to re-sell without further notice, either by public sale or private contract; and all losses attending such re-sale shall be made good by the respective Buyer or Buyers at this Sale.—V. If any dispute shall arise between any Bidders concerning any lot, such lot to be put up again.—VI. The Buyer to pay Six-pence per lot deposit, in order to bind the bargain, which is not returnable.”
“Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden, March 9, 1785.—Conditions of the Sale.—I. The Goods are all to be taken away without any Allowance at the Buyer’s Expence, on or before the 14th day ofMarch, 1785, and paid for on delivery.—II. Buyer’s Notes, approved of by the proprietor, will be taken payable four Months after date.—III. The Proprietor will allow a discount of 2½per Cent.to those who chuse to pay ready money.—IV. Such goods as shall not be taken away as aforesaid, the Proprietor shall be at liberty to re-sell without further notice, either by public sale or private contract; and all losses attending such re-sale shall be made good by the respective Buyer or Buyers at this Sale.—V. If any dispute shall arise between any Bidders concerning any lot, such lot to be put up again.—VI. The Buyer to pay Six-pence per lot deposit, in order to bind the bargain, which is not returnable.”
Then follows:—
A CATALOGUE, &c.