An Extensive Worcester 'Dalhousie' Pattern-Type Dessert Service, Circa 1775

Property of J.M.F. Crean, Esq., Christie's London, 20 November 1961, lot 50 (part), bought by Edwards for £2,500
Sotheby's London, 19 February 1991, lot 315 (part)

E. Eerdmans, Classic English Design and Antiques, Period Styles and Furniture, The Hyde Park Antiques Collection (New York 2006), p. 193, part illustrated

Worcester porcelains painted in this manner with a central landscape medallion, blue and gilt borders, and sprays of fruit and flowers are traditionally associated to the 'Lord Henry Thynne' pattern. The service from which the name derives had in the 19th century belonged to the second son of the Marquis of Bath who died in 1904. The pattern proved to be very popular in the late 18th century, and many dessert sets were made with slight variations in the treatment of fruit sprays and gilt borders. Lord Henry Thynne's service had borders of fruit alternating with flying birds. A similar service closer to the present lot with hanging garlands of fruit and insects in the place of birds is associated to the Earl of Dalhousie. A portion of this service from the Collection of the 10th Earl of Dalhousie, was sold by order of a descendent at Christie's London, 3 June 1985, lots 49-60. The pattern seen on the present service is perhaps best compared to a tea cup and saucer and tea canister, with similar ribbon motif on the turquoise borders, but with differing gilding at the rims, illustrated in Spero and Sandon, Worcester Porcelain 1751-1790, The Zorensky Collection, Woodbridge 1996, p. 290, no. 356.

Two bottle coolers likely from the present service were sold at Sotheby's London, The Property of T. G. Burn, (Duplicates from the Rous Lench Collection), 3 November 1964, lot 166.

For further reading on Worcester porcelain in these patterns see Spero and Sandon, ibid pp. 289-291, no. 354-357.