STAFFORDSHIRE BLUE
5-piece Mini-Collection
Quadrupeds Series - J Hall
Start or enlarge your Quadrupeds collection with a nice array of pieces from this spectacular series. The mini-collection includes:
· Two (2) 8-3/4" Otter plates
· One (1) 6-1/8" Standing Dog plate
· Two (2) 4" Hyena plates
Below you'll find a description of the series, as well as an item-by-item description of each piece included in this offering. Please examine the photographs carefully, as they are of the actual pieces on offer.
SERIES DESCRIPTION: Animal-themed series by the firm of John Hall of Tunstall, Staffordshire, in dark blue. The design is one of the most-ornate in the Blue-and-White Transferware canon, with a central scene that features an animal in an interesting setting, the size and detail of which depends on the size and shape of the piece. Surrounding the central animal (on all but the smallest pieces) are scroll-framed cartouches in a wide border, each of which features an individual animal different from the central animal and from one another - the mix of animals is different for the different pieces in the series, and that is part of what gives this series both its variety and its charm. These border medallions are separated by vase-and-flower motifs. Not all of pieces are marked. Where there are marks, they are printed in blue in the form of a cartouche bearing the name of the series: "Quadrupeds"; and some marks feature the name "I. Hall". Geoffrey Godden states in Encyclopedia of British Pottery & Porcelain Marks that this mark was in use from 1814 to 1822, so the series was originally designed and produced during this early period. Production probably continued into the 1822-1832 era when Ralph Hall was successor firm to John Hall. The design is unmistakable - there's nothing else like it, and the best examples are brilliant in tone and finish.
ITEM #1 - TWO (2) HYENA PLATES:
Size:
4" round.
Border:
Border alternates vase and floral motifs. There are no medallions on this size plate.
Mark:
Both plates are unmarked.
Date:
1814-1832.
Condition:
Hyena Plate #1:
Excellent, front and back.
Hyena Plate #2:
Front is excellent. Back has minor roughness in a couple of places.
ITEM #2 - ONE (1) STANDING DOG PLATE:
Size:
6-1/8" round by 1/2" deep.
Border:
There are three border medallions, each featuring a different animal, separated by vase and floral motifs.
Mark:
Printed in blue,in a cartouche incorporating the series name "Quadrupeds" and "I. Hall", name of the maker John Hall.
Date:
1814-1832.
Condition:
The piece is structurally sound, but there are issues, as per the photographs of the front and back of the piece. On the front there are (1) knife marks that show particularly at the left edge of the central scene; (2) an inadequately repaired chip at roughly 5:30; and (3) signs of general wear. On the back there are (1) old glue that corresponds to the repaired chip on the front; (2) at roughly 9 o'clock, a hairline running from the foot rim to the edge of the plate; (3) remnant of an old sticker residue on bottom; (4) some crazing and signs of general wear; and (5) a manufacturing flaw in the form of bubble remnants in several places .
ITEM #3 - TWO (2) OTTER PLATES:
Size:
8-3/4" round by 1" deep.
Border:
Both plates have four border medallions surrounding the central scene, each featuring a different animal, separated by vase and floral motifs.
Mark:
On both otter plates, the mark is printed in blue,in a cartouche incorporating the series name "Quadrupeds" and "I. Hall", name of the maker John Hall.
Date:
1814-1832.
Condition:
Otter Plate #1:
The piece is structurally sound, but there issues, as per the photographs of the front and back of the piece. On the front there are minor knife marks. On the back there are (1) at roughly 9 to 10 o'clock, what appears to be the remnant of glue or some other substance that was evidently applied to stop a small hairline from growing larger; (2) some crazing and signs of general wear; and (3) stilt marks and a manufacturing flaw in the form of bubble remnants in several places.
Otter Plate #2:
The piece is structurally sound, but there issues, as per the photographs of the front and back of the piece. On the front there are minor knife marks. On the back there are (1) hairline crack running from foot rim into bottom; (2) some crazing and signs of general wear; and (3) stilt marks and a manufacturing flaw in the form of bubble remnants in several places.
A NOTE RE LISTING PRICE: The listing price was set with condition issues taken into account.
QUESTIONS: Please ask any questions prior to bidding, as there will be no returns unless both Buyer and Seller agree that there is substantive error in the item description. The photographs form part of the offering description.
SHIPPING NOTE: This array, carefully packed, will be shipped via tracked and insured USPS Standard Mail . It will be shipped only within the U.S. and only to verified addresses.
An opportunity to acquire at a good price a lovely mini-collection from a highly collectible series of dark blue made by a leading British potter of the 1810-1835 era. The array would make a welcome gift for a collector or a nice addition to a personal collection of Staffordshire. Or perhaps there's someone special in your life you think might enjoy starting a collection.