Minton Best Body Sauce Tureen Flow Blue D'Orsay Japan pattern Antique c 1850

A Minton Best Body New Stone sauce tureen, cover and stand decorated with a deep flow blue cobalt base with hand coloured transfer print in a pattern named D'Orsay Japan and colour way pattern number 7738. The central pattern is a large stylised peony flower and buds alongside a low Chinese table that has a vase and bowl sat upon it. The border pattern has an unusual light and dark brown lined rococo scroll decoration with stylised flowers leaves and berries. The handles are picked out in gilding. The base is impressed BB New Stone and has design registration diamond for 4th December 1846. This antique tureen was made by the Factory of Minton and Co of Stoke on Trent Staffordshire, England and dates to the mid 19th century during the reign of Queen Victoria around 1850.

The footed round gourd shaped tureen has twin inter-looped handles and the domed lid has a double bud finial and ladle or spoon slot. The stand or under plate has twin handles in a blind moulded pattern replicating the tureen handle design.

The tureen measures 7 inches high by approximately 7 inches long  by 6 inches wide, the stand is 9 1/4 inches long and 8 inches wide. Together, the tureen and stand weigh 1120 grammes unpacked.

It is in fair antique condition, the tureen base has been broken into a number of pieces (10) and has been carefully glued back together, the lid has a stabilised crack and the stand has three small filled chips to the underside of the rim. The previous owner obviously valued it highly to have taken the trouble to reassemble it. The pattern is quite busy so the cracks are quite well disguised.

 A nice decorative item to add to any collection of antique Victorian Ironstone, Minton Best Body New Stone or hand coloured transfer-ware.