The sumptuous decoration of this Job Ridgway & Sons oval dessert centrepiece was meant to impress and succeeds admirably.
Stylised gold petals and stamens on a dark blue ground diminish in scale towards the centre, creating an illusion of depth and perspective. The abstract geometry contrasts with the loose arrangement of brightly coloured summer flowers, in three side panels and a central painting, each framed by gilt patterns on a buff ground.
The skilfully moulded handles are in the shape of dinner napkins folded like fans. The outside body is ribbed and fluted. Below the upper rim is a gilt chain on a buff band, mirroring the flower panel frames.
The pattern number, 845, is painted on the bottom.
The centrepiece as well as two matching dessert plates are shown in a photograph from Sotheby’s auctioneers that is Plate 35 of Geoffrey Godden’s The Illustrated Guide to Ridgway Porcelains, published in 1972. We are also offering for sale the pair of plates.
The pattern is the same as a slightly later John & William Ridgway tea and coffee trio that we too have on sale. The trio bears the pattern number 2/1034; Ridgway used different numbering systems for dessert and tea wares.
Condition: Good/very good. Light staining of white ground of central reserve and panels. Few spots of minor rubbing to gilt petals and gilt frames of flower panels. Pitting and other glaze impurities visible on handles and base. Couple of minute porcelain tears on underside of one handle (see final photo), also from manufacture.
Length between handles: 29.8 cm; width: 18.5 cm; height: 8.2 cm
Weight: 822 g
Origin: Stoke-on-Trent, England
Medium: Bone china (porcelain)
See Ridgway partnerships at Cauldon Place in Makers & Artists for background on the factory.
