Lot 278
278
A pair of opaque-white glass arched rectangular tea bottles with contemporary gilt-metal-mounted enamel covers
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more The opaque-white glass produced in this country far supasses all similar Continental pooducts due to its remarkable opacity owing to the introduction of arsenic as an opacifier - uniquely suitable to a lead-based glass of the type produced in England. Only one of several decorators has been identified, and that only by the initials 'P.P.' or P.F.' with the date 1764 on an opaque-white glass water-bowl in the Victoria and Albert Museum. However, another highly idiosyncratic hand is idenfifiable characterised by a rendering of flowers and leaves in a turbulent series of curves and flicks aptly named by the late W.A. Thorpe as 'swirled' flowers. The present small group of opaque-white glass is fortunate indeed to include three pieces decorated by this particular painter - the candlestick bearing a butterfly, and the pair of tea bottles (lot 278). The second candlestick would appear to be by a different hand, as are the enamel drip pans and caddy covers. For a detailed discussion on this subject see R.J. Charleston, 'Foreword' and 'Opaque-White Glass of the Third Quarter of the 18th Century', Gilding the Lily, Rare Forms of Deocration on English Glass of the Later 18th Century Delomosne & Son Ltd., Exhibition, July 1978, catalogue, pp. 2-10.
A pair of opaque-white glass arched rectangular tea bottles with contemporary gilt-metal-mounted enamel covers

CIRCA 1755-60, PROBABLY SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE

Details
A pair of opaque-white glass arched rectangular tea bottles with contemporary gilt-metal-mounted enamel covers
Circa 1755-60, probably South Staffordshire
With canted angles, named for GREEN and BOHEA within puce scroll cartouches above a goldfinch perched on a tree in a wooded landscape vignette, the sides with pink and blue flowers, the reverse with a bouquet and with scattered green foliage, the enamel covers with a gallant playing the flute to his seated companion
5½ in. (14 cm.) high (2)
Provenance
George Lockett.
Sir Hugh Dawson.
Bought from Delomosne & Son Ltd., Chippenham, February 1983.
Literature
R.J. Charleston, English Glass and The Glass Used in England, C. 400-1400 (London, 1984), pl. 45b.
Exhibited
Gilding the Lily, Rare Forms of Decoration on English Glass of the Later 18th Century, Delomosne and Son Ltd., July 1978, no. 4.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

Please see the introductory text to this lot for a note on the decorator, the painter of 'swirled' flowers.

Cf. a pair of opaque-white glass tea bottles for GREEN and BOHEA sold in these Rooms, 24th November 1987, lot 76, and for another pair in the Victoria and Albert Museum, (Schreiber Collection) see R.J. Charleston, 'The English Opaque-White Glass of the XVIIIth Century', Cahiers de La Céramique du Verre et des Arts du Feu, no. 28, cover illustration.

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