A rare Samuel Gilbody Mug, circa 1758-60
This rare Gilbody mug is pencilled in iron-red camaïeu with an exquisitely detailed large spray of flowers, which includes a rose, a narcissus, and harebells. Smaller scattered sprays, a single leaf, and a flying insect complete this most attractive decorative style.
The swelling barrel shape, flattened handle form and iron-red monochrome decoration link this piece stylistically with opaque-white glass of the period. The V&A Museum also has a Gilbody mug of this unusual form, painted with a Chinese landscape in enamels (Museum Number C.73-1967).
This mug is illustrated in Hillis, Liverpool Porcelain 1756-1804, page 299, plate 7.50.
Condition: There are two invisibly restored horizontal cracks to the body, either side of the upper handle terminal, and two minute frits inside the rim. There are tiny patches of staining visible to the interior and traces of a residue within the join to the top part of the upper handle terminal. No over-painting to the decoration and no other damage.
Provenance: An English Private Collection.
Exhibited: Liverpool exhibition, Phillips, London, 1997.
Dimensions: Height 14 cm
Liverpool Porcelain 1756-1804, Maurice Hillis (2011).
Liverpool Porcelain of the Eighteenth Century, Bernard M. Watney (Richard Dennis, 1997).