A 'Britannicus' Dresden China Ironstone dinner service circa 1820-1830

underglaze blue stamped and brightly painted with flowers and bamboo in the oriental taste, hightened in gold, under octogonal and shaped gilt rims, comprising: fifty-eight dinner plates, twenty soup plates, nineteen shaped side plates, sixteen circular side plates, twenty-three warming-plates, four square tureens and covers, two rectangular tureens and covers, two soup tureens, covers and three stands, two small rectangular tureens, covers and stands, two small oval footed tureens, covers and one stand, two large meat dishes in two sizes, twelve rectangular serving dishes in five sizes, four smaller oval dishes, four smaller square dishes, four smaller shell shaped dishes, a square salad bowl, an octagonal footed bowl and an oval pie form, damages and restorations

This service has been in the possession of the same Dutch family of renown at least since the time of their forebear Isaäc Dignus Fransen van de Putte (1822-1902). Van de Putte gained his fortune as colonial entrepreneur and served as minister in various Dutch cabinets. He has always been considered the first owner of the service, which might not be entirely consistent with its date of manufacture. However, it is likely that he might have purchased the service at auction during his stay on the island of Java between the 1840's and circa 1860.

Geoffrey A. Godden, Mason's Patent Ironstone China, London 1971, p. 102, notes that the maker of this service is yet to be identified, but however, is reknown for 'quality Ironstone type ware of the 1820 period'.

In overall good condition considering age and use. Wear to the gilding, especially to the rims. Some items with smaller losses to the enamels. Few items (mostly plates) with minor chips. Some items yellowed / discoloured. Some surface dirt. Dinner plates: circa three plates with larger hairline cracks, one with smaller star-crack to the underside. Soup plates: two with larger rim chips to the underside, circa four with larger hairline cracks. Side plates: circa three with larger hairline cracks, one with larger chip to underside rim. One square vegetable tureen with cover riveted. Both covers to small rectangular tureens restored. One small oval tureen restored. Both soup tureens restored / riveted, one with one ram's handle re-attached, the other with chip to ear, one stand restored, one pear-shaped handle to cover re-attached, one ram's handle with crack. One rectangular tureen and cover with hairline crack. One larger serving dish riveted, a small one with hairline crack.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."