September’s Fine Art sale plays host to a wide breadth of porcelain from some of the most notable 18^th century English porcelain factories. Ever-popular, a good number of pieces are painted in delicate polychrome with beautiful specimens of flowers. Factory painters were often adept at working in a number of genres, with flower painting being but one of their skills. Artists of the time faithfully reproduced print sources or used fresh bouquets of flowers for inspiration. 

 Most notably in the sale is a striking Philip Christian & Co (Liverpool) blue-scale teapot, circa 1770, decorated with finely hand-enamelled panels of flowers reserved against a striking blue scale ground. A rare example, this comes to market after having previously being in two important private collections and can be snapped up for an estimate of £1500/£2000. 

 Lot 301:
A Philip Christian & Co teapot and cover
circa 1770-75
enamelled with flowers in shaped panels reserved on a bright blue scaled ground, handle and spout with gilt foliate decoration,
unmarked, 16cm high
Provenance: Ex. C E Hanley Collection - purchased from Simon Spero, 4th April 2001. Previously in the Rous Lench Collection. Illustrated: Maurice Hillis, Liverpool Porcelain 1756-1804, p.229. Cf. The Victoria and Albert Museum, Accession No. C.96-1957 for a cake plate in the same pattern. Previously sold at Woolley and Wallis in 2016.
Estimate: £1,500 - £2,000

 Detail of Lot 301, the Philip Christian & Co teapot

Elsewhere in the sale, an early 19^th century Bristol puzzle jug can bring some fun and frivolity to any household for just £100/£150. Such jugs could be found in many taverns and homes in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and would challenge the drinker to partake without spilling the contents. Adeptly painted with floral sprays, this particular jug also benefits from displaying beautifully.

Lot 333:
An English pearlware puzzle jug, possibly Bristol
early 19th century,
the pierced neck with three flared spouts painted with flowers, unmarked,
15cm high
Estimate £100 - £150

 If those are not to your taste, the sale includes a veritable garden of other floral items such as sauceboats, coffee cups, and cream jugs which can all be picked up for affordable estimates ranging from £80-£250. A sound investment indeed, and one which is not prone to wilting!  

Lot 332:
One of two English porcelain cabinet cups and saucers, possibly Worcester,
circa 1820,
of Etruscan shape, the cups raised on three paw feet, the first painted with spawling floral urns and cornucopia alongside musical and military motifs, the second painted with scattered polychrome floral sprays against a pale blue ground, unmarked,
saucer 18cm diameter (cups fully restored)
Estimate £100 - £150

Other lots pictured in the group shot (Left to Right) include:

Lot 312:
A Baddeley-Littler sparrow beak jug
circa 1780-85,
with moulded scroll handle, painted in polychrome with flora below a brown-lined rim, unmarked,
8.1cm high
Estimate: £150 - £200

Lot 283:
A Bow teapot and cover
circa 1765-70
of globular form, the loop handle with a heart-shaped lower terminal, painted with sprays and scattered sprigs of flowers, the domed cover with a button finial, red crows-foot border to the rims, unmarked,
12.5cm high (a.f)
Estimate: £80 - £120

Lot 289:
A Derby jug, circa 1790
the painting attributed to William Billingsley, decorated with floral sprays below a turquoise border, puce painted marks,
16.5cm high
Estimate: £150 - £200

The full collection will be sold as part of The Autumn Auction on Wednesday 16th September at 10am and the catalogue will be available to view online from 25th August.  To sign up to receive a direct link to our online catalogue please fill out our form here.

If you are interested to know more about any of the pieces in this article or to request extra images contact Halls' Ceramics and Glassware Specialist Caroline Dennard on 01743 450 700 or email carolined@hallsgb.com