Rococo Luxury: Worcester Blue Scale Porcelain Kidney Dish

Object: Kidney-Shaped Serving Dish
Origin: Worcester Porcelain Factory, England
Date: Circa 1770 (First Period)
Medium: Soft-Paste Porcelain
Decoration: Underglaze Blue Scale Ground, Hand-Painted Enamels (Botanical), Rococo Gilding

Dimensions: 10 inches long x 7 1/2 inches deep.
Mark: Underglaze blue fret mark

This magnificent kidney-shaped dish represents the height of technical and artistic achievement during the First Period of the Worcester porcelain factory. Dating to circa $1770$, it belongs to the factory's most prized and opulent style: the Blue Scale ground.

The dish is defined by its dramatic underglaze blue scale pattern, which covers the wide borders and serves as a luxurious backdrop for the central scenes. Reserved within this dark, rich ground are numerous panels"”large shaped ones and smaller vase-like ones"”all meticulously painted with vibrant botanical specimens . This juxtaposition of detailed naturalism against the abstract, jewel-toned ground creates a sophisticated, Rococo effect. The entire composition is framed and enhanced by extensive rococo gilding, which defines the panels and adds shimmering texture to the edges.

Historical Context: The Mastery of Blue Scale

The Blue Scale ground (or 'Mazarine Blue' scale) was one of the most difficult and expensive decorations produced by the Worcester factory, heavily inspired by earlier Meissen and Sèvres production. Achieving the even, dense network of blue scales, which required flawless application of the underglaze cobalt before the final firing, was a feat of $18^{th}$-century ceramic chemistry and craftsmanship.

The dish's unusual kidney shape and the hand-painted botanical subjects indicate its use in a high-status dessert or tea service. Pieces from this period, marked with the distinctive underglaze blue fret mark, were essential components of fashionable domestic display, sought after by the highest echelons of English society during the reign of King George III.

References

Spero, Simon & Sandon, John: Worcester Porcelain, 1751-1790, The Zorensky Collection (Specific examples of this shape and pattern).

Binns, R.W.: A Century of Potting in the City of Worcester (Historical context on the First Period factory).

Museum Collections: Ceramics collections focusing on 18th-century English soft-paste porcelain (e.g., British Museum, Colonial Williamsburg).

(Ref: NY5997-nkrr)


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: EXCELLENT

Dimensions:
Height: 1.5 in.
Width: 10 in.
Depth: 7.5 in.

Category: Platters
Materials: Porcelain

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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; EXCELLENT