A Chelsea porcelain scolopendrium-leaf moulded beaker, circa 1750

raised anchor period, moulded with five twisting scolopendrium leaves with puce veins, the spaces between them painted with flower sprigs and scattered insects, the interior with a single sprig, the scalloped rim edged in brown, raised anchor mark,

The Property of the late Selwyn Parkinson, Esq., sold by Order of the Executors, Sotheby's London, 11th October 1966, lot 238;
Acquired at the above sale by the mother of the present owner.

RELATED LITERATURE
F. Severne Mackenna, Chelsea Porcelain, The Triangle and Raised Anchor Wares, London, 1948, pl. 22, no. 49, for an almost identical example, probably from the same service.

There is a minute flat chip to the rim, the brown line has been re-painted over the top of this. There is the odd scratch the brown enamel of rim. Very light rubbing to puce enamel on leaves viens
"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."

Early Chelsea forms such as this showing the influence of French porcelain are rare. A very similar beaker is in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, see Margaret Legge, Flowers and Fables, A Survey of Chelsea porcelain 1745-69, Melbourne, 1984, p. 31, no. 32. A further example from the Rous Lench Collection, sold in these rooms, 1st July 1986, lot 205; then subsequently the Zorka Hodgson collection, Bonhams London, 10th September 2008, lot 3. For further reading on the French influence on English porcelain see the paper by Tim H. Clarke, ‘French Influences at Chelsea’, E.C.C Transactions, 1959, vol. 4, part 5, pp. 45-57, where the author illustrates a Chelsea scolopendrium teabowl and its Chantilly prototype.