An important set of six Minton Aesthetic movement ‘jewelled enamel cloissonne’ dessert plates, with raised gilded geometric borders with inset enamel ‘floral jewels’, the central mons with hand painted reserves of English flowers and butterflies, in the Japanese taste. The plates and borders designed by the leader of the English Aesthetic movement, Dr Christopher Dresser, the painted mons by Owen Jones. The Bone china, thrown and turned, with overglaze enamel colours and gilt, relief-etched. This smart design of 1875 incorporates a number of fashionable features that an 1870s art-conscious clientele would recognise. It was made in Minton’s bone china and would have been more expensive than earthenware production. It was therefore designed to appeal to middle- and upper-class diners. Minton’s ‘cloisonne‚’ wares attracted enthusiastic reviews at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876
Impressed mark verso, painted decorator’s & gilder’s initials with pattern number 2246 verso.
Mint condition, three with minor rubbing to outside of rims.
Dr Christopher Dresser (Glasgow 1834 – 1904) was the pioneer of the aesthetic movement in English decorative design, advocating a return to geometric design and purity to nature & colour. The geometry of Japanese design and butterflies were amongst his most favoured design elements. His friend and collaborator, artist and design writer, Owen Jones he met whilst a student.
A tea cup and plate from this service (without the butterflys) is in Victoria & Albert Museum (ref C.177B-1986)
Price inc $1,250/ set
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