Autumn leaves đ
Here in England it has suddenly turned to autumn. The days are shorter, the sun lower, the leaves are turning and the weather is... well - you know, we are in England! đâď¸đ
With the holidays coming up, it is time to think about our dinner tables. With everything going on in the world I have never enjoyed dinner parties as much as lately - it is a time to let go, to forget about the world's troubles and to fully engage with those we love. When you spend time with friends or family, you realise that we listen to the news to our own peril, and ought to do a lot less of it.
So this weekend I have a beautiful new dessert service from between 1813 and 1820. This is a truly rare piece made by Flight, Barr & Barr, the continuation of the famous Worcester factory. The service serves six and has various dishes and two beautiful sauce tureens with covers, and I also have one coffee cup in the same pattern available. FBB, as they are known, embraced the neoclassical style and they were known for their exceptionally high quality. It is therefore no wonder that their wares are hard to find, and even harder to find in good condition. The price is commensurate - I've had to let many lots go at auctions because the bids went far beyond my reach.
But a while ago I got lucky and was able to add this wonderful dessert service to my collection - and it is now available. This is a famous pattern of brown vines, little red berries and beautiful gilding. But it's not only the pattern that makes this set so special - all items are potted in incredibly smooth, perfect porcelain. At a time when British makers generally struggled with making strong white porcelain this is a real achievement. It also means the items have survived well; the gilding is of good quality so there is very little rubbing, and absolutely no crazing.
The only flaw in the whole service, apart from some very minor rubbing, stacking wear and knife scratches, is that both finials of the sauce tureens have been replaced. This was done a long time ago so the materials aren't the best, and if desired I can arrange for a proper contemporary repair that will be hardly visible. But even now the tureens are fine for use and look stunning with their side handles of eagle heads carrying rings in their beaks. Who came up with that...?!
Needless to say, it is rare to find a dessert service from this period that is in such good and fully usable condition!
Where to find things
You can find all my dinner and dessert services here, and all my available stock is here. If you always want to see the latest additions, follow me on Instagram... I post pictures and a story several times a week.
Wish List â¤ď¸
Don't forget, you can now create your own profile on the site and keep a wish list. Click on the Log In icon at the top right of each page.
Happy weekend, and enjoy the change of season! đđđ
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This week's new treasures:â
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