Regal Bloom: A Derby Porcelain Botanical Soup Tureen, Cover, and Stand

This is an impressive and finely detailed large soup tureen, cover, and stand, produced by the Derby Porcelain Works during the late Georgian to early Regency period.

The piece exemplifies the high-style decorative tableware of the era, combining exuberant hand-painted decoration with rich, architectural gilding:

Decoration: The tureen body, domed cover, and stand are all sumptuously painted with large, exuberantly styled groupings of botanical flowers, including prominent roses and other summer blooms, rendered in a full, vibrant palette.

Form and Gilding: The shape is supported by four bold, gilded lion paw feet, with a beautifully molded lion head terminal adorning the body just above each foot. The upswept loop handles on both the tureen and the cover feature a reeded, gilt design and terminate with matching lion mask mounts, imbuing the piece with classical, Regency grandeur.

Mark: The reverse bears the distinctive red painted Crown mark with crossed batons below and the letter 'D'.

Origin: Derby Porcelain Works, England (likely the Nottingham Road factory)

Date: circa 1815–1825 (The use of the red mark falls into the period following the retirement of William Duesbury and leading into the Bloor period).

Style: Regency/Late Georgian

Material: Porcelain, Hand-Painted Enamels, and Gilding

Dimensions (Overall): 16 1/4 inches (Wide) x 12 1/2 inches (Deep) x 10 inches (High)
Tureen: 13 3/4 inches wide x 9 1/2 inches x 9 3/4 inches high;
Dish: 16 1/4 inches x 12 1/2 inches wide x 2 inches.

Historical Context

This tureen was produced during a transition phase at the Derby factory, known as the Duesbury/Bloor period (though it predates the official use of the "Bloor Derby" printed mark). The red painted mark"”Crown over Crossed Batons and 'D'"”was primarily used from 1806 until around 1825, linking this piece directly to the peak of Regency taste.

Regency Design and Patronage

The style is deeply rooted in the Regency aesthetic (c. 1811–1820s), which favored a bold revival of classical Greek and Roman motifs. The heavy, sculptural use of lion mask handles and paw feet was a direct nod to classical architecture and furniture design popular with wealthy patrons, indicating this piece was part of an elaborate, costly dining service.

The Age of Botanical Art

The hand-painted botanical decoration reflects the era's passionate interest in natural history, which had been popularized by botanical publications and private hothouses. High-quality porcelain works, like those from Derby, often employed specialist painters to render these flowers with a vibrant realism, ensuring the tableware mirrored the natural splendor of the era's grand dinner parties.

References

Godden, Geoffrey A. Godden's Guide to English Porcelain. London: Granada Publishing, 1978. (Standard reference for Derby marks and dating, confirming the red Crown, Crossed Batons, and D mark for the circa 1806–1825 period).

Rice, Dennis G. Derby Porcelain: The Golden Years 1750–1776. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1983. (General historical context for early Derby manufacture).

(Ref: NY10207-nrru)


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good condition

Origin:
United Kingdom

Creator:
Brand: Derby Porcelain

Materials & Techniques:
Porcelain

International: No International Shipping for this auction.
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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good condition