A GROUP OF CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN GRISAILLE 'QUAKER FARMER' TABLEWARES CIRCA 1810

comprising a teapot and cover, a shell-shaped dish, a chestnut basket and a dessert bowl, all painted in grisaille with a man beside his cow in a bucolic farm landscape within gilt borders.

Teapot and cover: Elinor Gordon, Villanova, Pennsylvania
Shell-shaped Dish: Elinor Gordon, Villanova, Pennsylvania

All tablewares have expected minor wear to the gilding and grisalle decoration. The teapot has a crack running around the lower body with a fine haircrack extending up besides the handle and another running entirely across the base. The cracks have been filled and stablized. The monogram is heavily rubbed. The cover has two small chips to the rim. The shell-shaped dish has a 1 in. haircrack to the rim. The chestnut basket handles have been off and reattached. There is a 1 in. hairline crack running from the rim, which was previously riveted. The dessert bowl is in good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The 'Quaker Farmer' pattern, examples of which are found executed in polychrome, green enamel, sepia and grisaille, is closely associated with the Morris family of Philadelphia. A drawing of this subject, ascribed to Mary Hollingsworth Morris (1776-1820), which has a long been believed to be the design source of the Chinese export wares, survived in the family and is now at Dumbarton House, headquarters of The Colonial Dames of America. Mary's husband Israel Morris (1778-1870) was an investor in the China Trade, along with several of his brothers, and numerous examples of 'Quaker Farmer' wares have survived within different branches of the family.

For a detailed history of the Quaker Morris family, their trade and farming interests, and an exploration of the possible sources for this design, see Brian J. Lang, From East to West "Quaker Farmer" Chinese Export Porcelain in America," the catalogue of an exhibition held at Dumbarton House, Washington DC, October 25 2005 - October 28 2006. For further examples see the catalogue of Chinese Export Porcelain from the Private Collection of Elinor Gordon sold in these rooms January 23, 2010, lots 95, 96, 97 and 98.