THE CONTAINER DESIGNED AND EXECUTED BY FRANCES LEE FOR DOULTON & CO IN 1882, THE MOUNT DESIGNED BY CHRISTOPHER DRESSER FOR HUKIN & HEATH, 1878

Details

A rare stoneware and silvered metal claret jug
The container designed and executed by Frances Lee for Doulton & Co in 1882, the mount designed by Christopher Dresser for Hukin & Heath, 1878
The amphora-shaped stoneware container with incised floral decoration in blue, white, brown and orange, set in a silvered metal mounting shaped like three feet, the lid monogrammed WR
23cm. high
The mount with impressed factory mark, registermark for 8 October 1878, stamped 2045-2, the container with impressed maker's mark, artist's monogram and datecode
See illustration

Special notice

Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 23.205% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €110,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €110,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 23.205% of the first €110,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €110,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.

Lot Essay

Similar designs by Dresser, produced by the firm of Hukin and Heath, are mostly known to have transparant glass containers. Examples with stoneware containers are rare. Besides the present lotnumber only one other comparable claret jug is known from literature. The WR monogram, also designed by Dresser, possibly refers to William Rosetti, brother of Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Both were highly interested in Japonist style.

For comparison see:
Exhibition catalogue, Christopher Dresser 1834-1904, Fine Art Society, London October 1972, no. 131 for the other known example with stoneware container
W. Halen, Christopher Dresser - a pioneer of Modern Design, London 1990, p.11, no.3 for a similar jug with glass container
Exhibition catalogue, Christopher Dresser 1834-1904, Camden Arts Centre 1979, p.46 for the design-drawings for this model

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