A ‘Lion Marked Group’ porcelain Tea Bowl, printed in underglaze blue, circa 1782-85
This early Gazebo pattern depicts a continuous Chinese landscape scene in which a small pagoda is nestled beside an overhanging rock. The inner border is of stiff leaves. The design was engraved by hand onto copper plates, and transferred to paper using a method of combined heat and pressure. The resulting pattern was then cut out and applied by female workers to the biscuit porcelain.
Rampant lion crest mark to the base, similar to that found on early Frankenthal porcelain. For a discussion about the attribution of ‘Lion Marked Group’ porcelain, see Geoffrey Godden, New Hall Porcelains, pp.285-294. Although sometimes considered to be early New Hall, there are other possibilities. The mark may represent the crest of the Talbot family, important landowners in Staffordshire.
The design is taken from Matthias Darly and George Edwards, 1 of 116 plates, including title plate and index, from A New Book of Chinese Designs Calculated to Improve the present Taste etc., London, 1754 (see the last photo).
Condition: Good. There is a short hairline to the rim and a tiny frit, also to the rim. No other damage and no restoration. There is some light kiln speckling to the glaze, from manufacture.
Dimensions: Diameter 8 cm
New Hall Porcelains, Geoffrey Godden (Antique Collectors’ Club, 2004).
Where is the Porcelain of Enoch Wood?, Roger Pomfret (Northern Ceramic Society Journal, Vol.27, 2011).