A London-shape Creamer, Staffordshire, bone china, circa 1825
Decorated with scenes depicting the Disarming of Cupid, this London-shape creamer features charming mythological vignettes hand-coloured over pinkish-purple transfer prints in yellow, green, and red enamels. On one side, the infant god of love slumbers in a woodland glade; on the other, a maiden nymph cautiously steals his quiver of arrows – a tale variously featuring Diana’s nymphs, the Three Graces, or Venus herself.
The rim, handle, and base are accented with vibrant purple lustre scrolling and line work, complimented by a hand-painted floral motif beneath and inside the pouring lip.
Unmarked.
This piece presents a distinct variation of the classical Greek-inspired Regency form: rather than the typical bulbous body, it exhibits flattened sides and lacks an inner spur on its angular handle.
Berthoud illustrates a creamer of this form, albeit with a flatter handle profile (p.109, pl.654).
Dimensions: Length 12.7 cm; Height (to top of thumb rest) 10.2 cm.
Condition: No damage or restoration, just very minor wear and typical manufacturing imperfections.
A Cabinet of British Creamers, Michael Berthoud (Micawber Publications, 1999).
Price: £35.