A KERR & BINNS WORCESTER PORCELAIN PLATE FROM THE 'SHAKESPEARE SERVICE' 1853

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Description

porcelain
x 24.8 cm

the reserves decorated by Thomas Bott, Snr, and Luke Wells, the white-glazed well with a gilt roundel to the centre enclosing Classical figures within a field of flower heads and a fine dentelle edge, the speckled gilt-ground border in Renaissance Revival manner with chimeras and winged putti heads in relief in white biscuit flanking oval reserves, one with a portrait of Shakespeare by Bott and two decorated en brunaille by Wells with the muses Thalia and Melpomene, printed uncrowned circular factory mark underside 
Accompanied by a copy of an illustrated edition of Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream' (Dublin, 1853) commissioned by W.H. Kerr to accompany the exhibition of the service in Dublin. 
24.8cm diameter 


EXHIBITIONS: 
The Great Industrial Exhibition, Dublin, 1853 (the service exhibited) 

OTHER NOTES: 
Made (using Irish clay and gold) for the 1853 Dublin Great Industrial Exhibition, specifically to promote the Worcester porcelain factory's wares to the Irish market a year after the Irishmen W.H. Kerr and R.W. Binns acquired the business, Binns regarded the 'Shakespeare service' as the finest product of their ownership. When the service was offered for sale in the 1890s, he purchased a portion of it for the museum he had established dedicated to the history of the Worcester porcelain. 

After opening the Dublin exhibition, Queen Victoria was so impressed by the service she requested a private inspection of it.

Price: $3500

Tusmore Antiques

Adelaide SA 5000

By Appointment

www.tusmoreantiques.com
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