Period: Late Victorian
Maker: W.T. Copeland & Sons
This is an exceptional example of Copeland’s ‘Jewelled Porcelain.’ Each of more than fifty cabochon fantasy jewels is hand-painted to evoke the iridescence of agate or opal. The raised porcelain jewels are set between raised and surface gilding of breathtaking intricacy. In the centre, in raised and tooled gilding, is a monogram of a ‘C’ – or possibly a ‘G’- and an ‘H’, sinuously entwined to resemble an illuminated manuscript. The overall effect is of mediaeval or renaissance precious jewellery.
The base is fully marked, with the gold backstamp of the renowned London retailer Thomas Goode & Co. above ‘Copelands Jewelled Porcelain.’ There is also the printed mark COPELANDS CHINA ENGLAND, the pattern number C/1071, and an impressed date code, L & 97, for July 1897.
Provenance: Coldwell Collection
CONDITION Excellent. A few tiny scratches, otherwise mint.
Diameter: 26 cm
Net weight 507 g
Medium: Bone china (porcelain)
Origin: Stoke-on-Trent, England
See Spode and Copeland in Makers & Artists for background on the factory
