A rare William Reid Plate, circa 1756-58
This rare William Reid plate of silver form is finely pencilled in red with the Sporstman’s Arms. The elaborate central scrolled cartouche has two supporters, one aims his gun at a bird in flight, the other stands facing with his gun held upright at his side. The escutcheon may be described as a chevron argent between in chief two foxhounds courant and in base a foxhunter astride a horse courant three grouse. The edge of the plate is decorated with a red feather and scroll border, and a gilt line.
Terribly rare on Liverpool porcelain, such elaborate arms are normally printed and it is most surprising to see that the design has been pencilled in exquisite detail.
Provenance: The Bernard Watney Collection; Crane Collection; an English Private Collection.
Exhibited: Liverpool exhibition, Phillips, London, 1997; English Ceramic Circle Armorialsexhibition, the Haughton Gallery, London, 2008.
This plate is illustrated in Hillis, Liverpool Porcelain 1756-1804, page 29, plate 3.17.
Condition: No cracks or restoration. There are three chips to the rim and some wear to the gilt decoration around the edge. There is wear to the enamel decoration consistent with use. Three stilt marks from manufacture are visible on the underside.
Dimensions: Diameter 22.8 cm
Liverpool Porcelain 1756-1804, Maurice Hillis (2011).
Liverpool Porcelain of the Eighteenth Century, Bernard M. Watney (Richard Dennis, 1997).