Antique Pennington Pearlware Tea Bowl & Saucer HP B&W Finely Half Reeded c 1775

A rare highly collectable antique 18th century, English blue and white decorated pearlware teabowl and saucer. They have a most attractive beautifully executed ogee shape, with six lobes, finely half reeded body with a wavy or undulating rim, the quality of the moulding is very good. The shape of these two items would indicate a date of circa 1775.

The shape and general theme of the design is reminiscent of a Champion's, Bristol Porcelain waisted "Tournai" or inverted bell shape teabowl and saucer of the same period. The painting could be seen as a loose interpretation of the Horace Walpole pattern often seen on such teabowls.

The hand painted underglaze blue pattern is also quite unusual with a wide swagged ribbon interspersed with stylised flowers and stems. The flowers are shaded with a line technique and the overall design could be described a naive, in a style and execution normally associated with delftware, the quality of the painting contrasts with the high quality of the potting.

The teabowl and saucer are unmarked but, have been attributed to John and Jane Pennington of Copperas Hill, Liverpool, Mersyside, England who were in production between 1770 - 1794.

The teabowl is 2 1/8inches high by 3 1/4 inches diameter. The saucer has a diameter of 5 1/4 inches and a deep curved and stepped rim it stands 1 5/16 inches high.They weigh 201g unpacked.

They are in very good antique condition. Some very minor rubbing or flaking to rim of saucer and bowl. Old restored chip and associated crack to bowl rim and inside of footrim. Faint hairline to the rim of the saucer minor glaze crazing.

This is a great item for any collector of English 18th century tea bowls and saucers or pearlware pottery.