Live Auction 16719The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller: English & European Furniture, Ceramics and Decorations, Part I
A DERBY PORCELAIN GOLD-GROUND PART DESSERT SERVICE
Lot 135

A DERBY PORCELAIN GOLD-GROUND PART DESSERT SERVICE

CIRCA 1815-20, IRON-RED CROWNED CROSSED BATONS AND D MARKS, SOME PIECES WITH IRON-RED NO. 7, PROBABLY FOR THE GILDER TALKINGTON (ALSO KNOWN AS TORKINGTON), THE PAINTING ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS STEELE

Closed9 May 2018

Price Realised

USD 35,000

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A DERBY PORCELAIN GOLD-GROUND PART DESSERT SERVICE
CIRCA 1815-20, IRON-RED CROWNED CROSSED BATONS AND D MARKS, SOME PIECES WITH IRON-RED NO. 7, PROBABLY FOR THE GILDER TALKINGTON (ALSO KNOWN AS TORKINGTON), THE PAINTING ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS STEELE
Finely painted with still-lives of fruit, the rims gilt with anthemion alternate with chased grapevine bands, comprising: two sauce-tureens, covers and stands; a shaped rectangular two-handled compote; two large scalloped lozenge-shaped dishes; four smaller lozenge-shaped dishes; four shell-shaped dishes; a kidney-shaped dish; twenty-one plates
13 ¼ in. (23.5 cm.) long, the compote

Acquired from J. Rochelle Thomas, London, September 1951, as a gift from David to Peggy Rockefeller.

Specialist note

This dessert service, which we bought from J. Rochelle Thomas in London in 1951, is another example of Peggy's eye for quality being quicker than mine. My initial reaction was that the pattern was a bit busy, but she recognized the fine craftsmanship of the burnished gold borders and of the painting of the fruit. As a result, I purchased it and gave it to her as a present. Today I believe it is one of the most refined and beautiful services we have.
D.R.

Thomas Steele is recorded as painting a number of services with "fruit arrangements on marble slabs, and... elaborate gilt arabesque borders." See J. Twitchett, Derby Porcelain, London, 1980, p. 275.