Pair of Derby "Moth Painter" Reticulated Porcelain Baskets C. 1758–1765

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A fine pair of early English Derby porcelain reticulated oval baskets, circa 1758–1765, each finely pierced with circular and diamond … Read more A fine pair of early English Derby porcelain reticulated oval baskets, circa 1758–1765, each finely pierced with circular and diamond latticework, applied with small floral bosses, and fitted with turquoise-glazed double loop handles enriched with molded flowers and leaves. The interiors are brightly hand-painted in colored enamels with cherries, leafy branches, butterflies, moths, and insects, a decoration associated with early Derby naturalistic porcelain and the so-called “Moth Painter” taste. The scalloped brown line rims, openwork basket construction, applied flowerhead exterior, and soft-paste porcelain body place the pair firmly within the mid-18th-century English rococo dessert-table tradition. These would have been used as sweetmeat, dessert, fruit, or table baskets and later preserved as cabinet porcelains. The green painted wood stands are separate display supports and are not attached to the baskets.

Note: Albert Amor describes a very close Derby pierced oval basket, 8 3/4" wide, with “turquoise glazed double loop handles,” applied flower and leaf terminals, cherries, a moth and insects, brown line rim, and exterior applied flowerheads, dating it circa 1758–60. The cherry-and-insect decoration also appears on mid-18th-century Derby porcelain, including a V&A-listed Derby plate dated circa 1755–60.

Measurements: 8.625" w x 6.5" d x 3.25" h. See less