CIRCA 1745-52

This saucer would appear to be one of only three of its type made by the Chelsea manufactory, making it exceptionally rare. Another, from the raised anchor period, is in the collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. In January 1869 it was sold as part of lot 517 at the auction of property belonging to the late Marquis of Hastings of Donington Park, Leicestershire, apparently alongside another saucer of the same description. It is possible that the present lot is the other saucer. See John C. Austin, Chelsea Porcelain at Williamsburg, (Williamsburg and Charlottesville, 1977) pp. 46-7, pl. 28 for a further discussion and an illustration of the saucer at Williamsburg.