A rare Worcester ‘smoky primitive’ ivy leaf-shaped pickle dish, printed with The Flute Lesson, circa 1754

Length 9.8cm
No Mark

This shape was introduced at Worcester from about 1753 and these pickles were originally decorated in polychrome enamels. The overglaze decoration was easily damaged by the acids in the pickles and was limited to the period 1753-56. The ivy leaf shape is rather less common than the shell dishes and the shape remained in production until about 1758. The print itself is after a painting from 1743 entitled ‘La Maitre Galant (la lecon de flute)’ by Nicholas Lancret.

Condition: 2 very tiny nibbles to tip of leaf and rim

See S. Spero, Exhibition 2000, no. 14, for a shell shaped pickle dish similarly decorated.
Also Bonhams, The Billie Pain Collection, 26 Nov. 2003, lot 180
Spero S. And Sandon J., Worcester Porcelain 1751-1791, The Zorensky Collection, nos. 16-19 and 479

£980