CIRCA 1785, THE TRAY INCISED T, THE CREAM-JUG AND SAUCER WITH IMPRESSED CROWNED REVERSED N MARK, BASE OF TRAY, CREAM-JUG AND NECK OF TEAPOT INDISTINCTLY INSCRIBED IN IRON-RED

Archaeological excavations at Herculaneum started in 1738 (and at Pompeii in 1748, although the excavations there did not begin in earnest until 1763). At Herculaneum, a museum was built near the site to house the excavated artefacts (and even a Roman kitchen was re-created). A ban was imposed (enforced by guards) on illustrated publications of any kind, even sketching at the site, and the only available engravings of the finds at Herculaneum were those published under Royal patronage by the Accademia Ercolanese (established in 1752). Le Antichit di Ercolano esposte, published from 1757 to 1798 in five volumes, was not for sale, but given as a diplomatic gift. It was the inspiration for many of the new "neoclassical" forms employed by the Royal Naples Factory, and was the source for much of the form and ornament of the Ercolanese Service commissioned in 1781 by Ferdinand IV, King of Naples and the Two Sicilies as a gift to his father, King Charles III of Spain. (For a soup-tureen and cover from this service see the example sold in these Rooms on 7th July 1997, lot 286 and a plate sold on 27th April 1998, lot 144). Although the unusual forms of the present lot, such as the teapot and cream-jug, do not appear in Le Antichit di Ercolano esposte, they were almost copied or interpreted directly from unpublished excavated artefacts.

A travelling-cabaret with a teapot and tray of very similar form is illustrated by Angela Carla-Perrotti, Le Porcellane dei Borbone di Napoli (1986), p. 428, no. 356; and another with a cream-jug of similar form is illustrated on page 469, no. 419.