An interesting English porcelain Sauceboat, possibly Isleworth, circa 1765-75
This pleat-moulded pedestal sauceboat is decorated with two large relief-moulded cartouches containing leafy flower sprays, painted in underglaze blue. A small cartouche beneath the pouring lip contains a single flower. The remainder of the exterior is painted with scattered leaves. The interior base is painted with a large tulip. The pouring lip is painted with a flower. The inverted rim is painted in underglaze blue with a trailing floral design and the handle is painted with scroll motifs.
Although not unique to Isleworth, the shape of this sauceboat, with its inverted rim, handle type, and pedestal foot is certainly known to have been made there. The deep pedestal base is of special interest as it seems to have only been used at Isleworth. The use of parallel shading on the leaves and flowers has particularly close similarities to Isleworth painting. It also exhibits characteristics typical of Isleworth porcelain, including horizontal crazing, bubbles in the glaze, and virtually no translucency. The identity of the maker is presently unknown, but combined with the science, Isleworth would appear to be the strongest candidate at present.
Unmarked.
Provenance: The Susi and Ian Sutherland Collection; Private Collection, London.
Both the glaze and underglaze cobalt blue pigment of this piece have been tested using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF). The results, published in the English Ceramic Circle Transactions, vol. 28, 2017, reveal that the cobalt blue contains nickel. This is significant as 10 out of 10 of all confirmed Isleworth pieces contain nickel, as do all 36 of the possible Isleworth pieces tested. Compare this with the results for Bow, where no nickel is present in the cobalt blue pigment.
Condition: There are two Y-shaped cracks to one side of the body, extending from the rim, and also a faint crack around the lower handle terminal, and some light staining. There are one or two patches of light chipping and glaze wear to the rim, foot rim and handle, and characteristic crazing to the glaze overall. No other damage and no restoration. From manufacture, there are pinholes and tiny pieces of grit to the body, along with one or two small patches around the raised foot, where the glaze has crawled or withdrawn slightly.
Dimensions: Length 16 cm; Height (to top of thumbrest) 9.2 cm
Transactions, vol. 28 (English Ceramic Circle, 2017). See the entry for item no. 2015-04 101, page 21.
Isleworth Pottery and Porcelain: recent discoveries, compiled by Roger Massey, Jacqueline Pearce and Ray Howard (English Ceramic Circle and Museum of London, 2003). Illustrated on page 107.
Godden’s Guide to Blue and White Porcelain, Geoffrey A. Godden (Antique Collectors’ Club, 2004).
British Porcelain Sauceboats of the 18th Century, Nicholas Panes (Gomer Press, 2009).
Ref. For three sauceboats of this form and with the same moulded cartouches, see British Porcelain Sauceboats of the 18th Century, where N. Panes attributes them possible Isleworth (pp.220-221).