Pair Derby Hand Painted Plates c1815

Description

Pair Derby Hand Painted Plates c1815

Decorated in a vivid palette of pinks . magenta. burnished orange and blue flowers we have been unable to confirm the identify the painter despite concerted efforts. The flowers are not large and flamboyant enough to be “Quaker” Pegg. Billingsley was long departed. destroying the fortunes of other unsuspecting souls by the time this was painted. In the Derby Museum there is a very similar plate on display attriubuted to Leonard Lead. A Derby expert has also suggested George Mellor as did one of the Derby collectors with whom we took counsel. To summarise . we do not know and neither do they with certainty but in reality does it matter ?  The painter could definitely paint to a high standard.

The plates “scream Derby” and are unmarked. but one bears the distinctive impressed Roman capital B. about 3/16ths of an inch high. a workmans mark widely recognised on other Derby pieces. The second carries an incised V mark usually associated with Joseph Hill. Gadrooned edge with polished mercury gilding in superb condition. No chips cracks or nor restoration. Stunning. 10 inches ( 26 cms) diameter

Please see Barrett and Thorpe – Derby Porcelain Appendix 2