BOTH WITH GREEN PRINTED CROWNED MARKS, THE FIRST GILT PATTERN NO. T1798, BLACK PRINTED MARK FOR THE COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION, CHICAGO 1893; THE SECOND WITH BLACK PATTERN NO. V2349 AND 74, CIRCA 1900

The art critics of the day heralded the perfection of the work presented by Coalport at the Chicago World Fair. A local reviewer commented, 'The Company are deserving of congratulation on the magnificent glaze that has been obtained on the various objects, which for delicacy and softness, almost approaches the old Sèvres soft paste [sic] effect. The agate work is grand also. It really represents all the precious stones which are included in the Chalcedony groups, Moss agates, Cornelian, etc. This is absolutely a novel form of decoration, and the effect obtained on the surface of the stones is really astonishing, it appearing identical with the natural object. Most of the display was designed by Mr. T.J. Bott...' See Michael Messenger, Coalport 1795 - 1926, Suffolk, 1988, p. 334 for a full discussion of this technique and the overwhelming success of Coalport at this seminal exposition. Also see The Pompey Collection, Christie's, New York, 23 May 2002, lot 168 for a similar box and cover.