Lot Essay
Whilst painting of European figures in landscape appears on English delft throughout the first half of the 18th century, the decoration of the present lot is more sophisticated than similar scenes of figures among 'sponged' trees on tiles and utilitarian wares. The painting is probably derived from a graphic source and 17th century Dutch source may seem a likely inspiration. The distinctive painting of the shrubs and foliage in the foreground, rockwork, trees and foliage is a diagnostic trait on this dish and the preceding lot and is similar to large scale works such as the tile pictures dated 1739 and the celebrated Burleigh House dish of 1745 in the Fitzwilliam Museum. See Louis L. Lipski and Michael Archer, Dated English Delftware, pp. 40-407, nos. 1695-1696 and p. 112, no. 494.