Painted with two Kingfishers, the reverse with moths and insects in flight.

Cups of quatrefoil section with indented corners and wishbone handles were a speciality of Derby at a time when they were more focussed of sculptural work. They are rarely seen with saucers but one at least does survive.[i]

Sir Bruno Welby thought that this, and another similar cup in his collection was painted by the ‘Cotton stem painter’ who is mostly associated with his distinctive style of painting bouquets of flowers.

Condition:
Good, no restoration

Provenance:
Sir Bruno Welby Bt.

Literature:

Bradley 1978
H. Gilbert Bradley, Ceramics of Derbyshire, 1750-1975, (London, 1978), p. 60, fig. 67

References:

Derby Porcelain International Society, Journal 1 (1989)

—————————————————————————————————–

[i] Derby Porcelain International Society, Journal 1 (1989), colour plate I, no 7 in the loan exhibition arranged by the Derby Porcelain International Society, Burlington House Fair, 11-22 September 1985.

Price: £950