Antique Royal Worcester Neoclassical Matched White and Gilt (Gold) Porcelain Covered Urns W/ Landscaped Panels by Harry Davis, a Pair, England 1912.

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A pair of exquisite antique Neoclassical Royal Worcester porcelain urns - 11" pedestal chalice form vases with open pierce work … Read more A pair of exquisite antique Neoclassical Royal Worcester porcelain urns - 11" pedestal chalice form vases with open pierce work lids, draped side accents and embossed bands with ornate gilt / gold accents.
Each with a magnificent demi-lune Highland landscape paintings signed H. Davis. One of the most renowned decorators of the Royal Worcester Workshops. See below.
One with hardly noticeable old repair to foot pedestal where the base joins the upper section, see photo.
Condition is very good with exception of minor old restoration above.
Some scattered glaze discoloration typical of the period was noticed.
Still a magnificent pair of sought after mantle urns fit to grace any home.
Priced accordingly.
Listed by East2West Furniture Florida.
Each 10.75" high x 6" x 4.75".
4 pounds total weight approx.

Harry Davis at Royal Worcester
The porcelain manufacturers Royal Worcester have had a glorious history dating all the way back to 1751.
In 1788, George III granted a Royal warrant to the company and it became known as 'The Royal Porcelain Works'. The Prince of Wales added to it in 1807 with an additional Royal warrant, as did the the Princess of Wales in 1808. Even today, they remain in service to the crown by appointment of Queen Elizabeth II.

It was this highly esteemed company that Harry Davis begun work for in 1898, at the tender age of just thirteen. It should not come as any great surprise, as Harry's father worked for the factory as a figure maker and his Grandfather, Josiah Davis, was one of the foremost gilders ever to have worked at Royal Worcester. At the time, all three generations worked together at the factory.
Harry was granted a formal seven year apprenticeship in 1899. So having started with menial tasks such as sweeping floors, he was now receiving tutelage, under the landscape painter Ted Salter and particularly from his grandfather. Josiah taught him to draw and paint landscapes in the manner of the leading Barbizon school painter, Jean-Baptiste Corot.

It was Ted Salter that encouraged Harry in country pursuits. Harry took up fishing and became a member of the Royal Worcester Fishing Club. In fact, Ted and Harry became great friends, so it was a great shock to Harry when his tutor was killed in a cycling accident in 1902. When we see the great works of Harry Davis, we owe a great thanks to the guiding hand of Ted Salter.

It was only in 1900 that the company allowed painters to sign their works, and so it was fortuitous for Harry, as he went on to prove himself as an artist of distinction and did not dwell in obscurity as his predecessors must have done. Harry became renowned for country subjects such as Sheep, Cows, landscapes and fish. All finished with complete perfection.

Among his great commissions, was the £7,000 service for the Maharaja of Nawanagar (1923). The presentation vase gifted to cricketer Don Bradman for his three double centuries for Worcester (1938). A jardiniere presented to Winston Churchill (1950). He was a confirmed favourite of the Royal Family, and painted the figure of Princess Elizabeth on her favorite horse Tommy, by Doris Lindner (1949).

Harry was awarded the British Empire Medal in Queen Elizabeths fist honours list in 1952. He went on working at Royal Worcester until 1969, when he was eighty three! He died the following year.
It is a pleasure to see the work of Harry Davis being sold at McTear's this month. His attention to detail and his love for the countryside is plain to see. As well as a influences of Jean-Baptiste Corot. Worcester pieces by Harry Davis are often equally spectacular...

The original Worcester factory was founded in the mid 18th Century and belongs to the group of famous pioneering potteries in Britain. It went through various changes and take overs, and in the mid 19th Century it merged with Chamberlains and Grainger, both earlier split-offs, taking the new name "Royal Worcester".
Royal Worcester acquired the Grainger porcelain company in 1889. The Grainger factory was sold to Royal Worcester following the death of George Grainger. The Grainger & Co name and factory continued to operate under Royal Worcester until 1902, when operations were fully transferred to the main Royal Worcester factory. See less