Lot Essay
Often referred to as the 'Plume' pattern, this was very probably designed by the Dutch draughtsman, Cornelis Pronk. See David Howard and John Ayers, op.cit., vol.I, p.302, no.296, where the authors discuss the rarity of this design and conclude that it is conceivable little more than a large tea-service was made, due perhaps to the difficulty in firing the violet enamel. See also seven pieces of this service from the Martin-Hurst Collection, illustrated by G. C. Williamson, op.cit., colour pl.XVIII. now in the Metropolitan Museum and illustrated by C. Le Corbeiller, op.cit., pp.58 and 59, no.25 together with a tea-caddy. See also C.J.A. Jörg, Pronk Porcelain, 1980, Exhibition Catalogue, p.39 for a discussion on this design, and fig.15 for the Mottahedeh teabowl and saucer.