A Lowestoft Porcelain Curtis Pattern Teapot and Cover c1785

Description

Heading :  A Lowestoft Porcelain Teapot and Cover
Date : 1780-1790
Period : George 111
Marks : None
Origin : Lowestoft. England
Colour : Polychrome
Pattern : A Curtis pattern design
Features : Domed cover with ball finial
Condition : No chips or cracks. A little kiln spit in the tip of the spout. There is also a stain just below the spout inside and out. Tea has permeated through a gap in the glaze that is most probably in the bulb at the base of the spout.
Restoration : None
Dimensions : Height to top of finial 15.5cm. top of handle to tip of spout 18.3cm
Weight : 457 grams

Eric Knowles Comments

For a similar example see: Lowestoft Porcelain in Norwich Castle Museum. volume 2. Smith. Sheenah page 37 lower plate and page 140. No 329. Described as one of the so-called Curtis patterns linked to the decorator Thomas Curtis of which their are several variants whilst two examples are recorded inscribed with dates 1787 and 1790.

The composition reflects the prevalent Chinese Export porcelains known as Compagnie des indes and ascribed to the  local Lowestoft painter Thomas Curtis born to James and Mary Curtis in December 1759. Thomas is thought to have stayed with the company until 1799 a few years prior to the factory closure in 1802 . For an example of this teapot exhibiting totally matching decoration to the body and cover and a discussion on Thomas Curtis See Lowestoft Porcelain. Godden Geoffrey A. Plate 183 and pages 38-39.