Wedgwood Bone China Bute Shape Tea Cup & Saucer Blue Transferware c 1815 no 2

A Regency era, circa 1815, Wedgwood first period bone china (1812-1822) Chinoiserie blue and white transfer printed bute shape tea cup and saucer. Both the cup and saucer bear a  small single mark, Wedgwood transfer printed in uppercase serif.

The pattern which is quite unusual is similar in some respects to Mason's "Chinese scrolls" design with elements not unlike "Chinese Marine" and "Chinese Fantasy".  It is actually called "Blue Bridge on a Scroll". The source print for this transferware pattern  comes from Staunton, Sir George Leonard  "An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of England to the Emperor of China (with engravings by William Alexander) London Published by G. Nicol, Pall Mall London 1797.  Please see the Transferware Collectors Club Database pattern number 389.

The pattern consists of an all over leaf and tendril ground superimposed with a  partially unrolled scroll. The scroll has a Chinese riverscape with a man in small sailing boat (junk or sampan) in the foreground in front of a long distinctive looking bridge with palm tree on either side. In the back ground are some large hills or mountains, the one on the right hand side with buildings possibly some sort of fortification. Above all this is a flock of birds, possibly seagulls, in the sky.

Both the cup and saucer have the same all over design, with the cup having a scroll on each side. They are in very good antique condition. The cup has a small chip to the rim just to the left of  handle. The saucer  has some very minor body discolouration to the rim, which could possibly be the remnants of gilding. Please see the photographs.

This is a great item for any collector of English early 19th century Georgian porcelain cups and saucers or blue and white transferware.

Cup Height 2 3/8 inches ( 6.2 cm)
Cup diameter 3 1/2 inches ( 9 cm)
Saucer Diameter 5 11/16 inches (14.5 cm)
Saucer height 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm)
Total weight 281 grammes unpacked.