A Lowestoft Sauceboat, circa 1768-70
This Lowestoft pedestal sauceboat is decorated with a Hughes-type relief-moulded design resembling a chrysanthemum. The plain cartouches on either side are printed in underglaze blue with floral bouquets, and the remainder of the exterior is similarly printed with scattered floral sprays and sprigs. The inside base is decorated with a detailed, naturalistic printed rose and bud bouquet. The inverted rim sweeps up to a point in the centre of each side of the sauceboat. This rim border is painted in underglaze blue with a scroll and flower design.
The base is marked with a small printed hatched crescent, in imitation of Worcester.
This sauceboat would make a handsome addition to any collection of early English blue and white porcelain.
Provenance: Nicholas Panes, author of British Porcelain Sauceboats of the 18th Century (2009).
Condition: Excellent – no damage or restoration, just typical imperfections in the paste and glaze, resulting in small patches of staining on the inner rim and pouring lip.
Dimensions: Height (to top of thumbrest) 10.1 cm; Length 19.4 cm; Width 9.2 cm
The Illustrated Guide to Lowestoft Porcelain, Geoffrey A. Godden (Praeger, 1969).
Lowestoft Porcelain in Norwich Castle Museum, Volume 1, Sheenah Smith (Norfolk Museums Service, 1975).
British Porcelain Sauceboats of the 18th Century, Nicholas Panes (Gomer Press, 2009).