Shipping: Ship to United States  £75

A superb & rare Flight & Barr, Worcester Porcelain Inkstand c.1800 - 05. Two flared pockets flanking the dolphin-form handle accommodating a removable candle sconce, a pair of quill-holders applied to the curved front, decorated to the front with a panel containing a selection of finely painted shells, corals and seaweed, against a shaded background, possibly by Samuel Smith, all reserved on a ''Barr''s Orange'' ground, heightened with geometric gold decoration and two panels either side containing a Lion''s head.14cm wide, incised ''B'' marks to the base of the inkstand and lid. Condition: In excellent condition with just restoration to a minor chip to one of the flared pocket on the right. Slight wear to the gilding. A similar shape Inkstand from the Barr Collection is illustrated by Henry Sandon, Flight and Barr Worcester Porcelain (1978), p.54, pls.38-39.A pair of jardinières were sold by Bonhams on 29 September 2021 - See https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27326/lot/58/a-pair-of-flight-and-barr-worcester-jardinieres-circa-1800/ - Where the auction house notes that the shell painting and the arrangement of the fine filaments of the seaweed is very similar to that on the documentary shell-painted jug by Samuel Smith, signed and dated ''S.S. 1807'' and sold by Phillips, 16 December 1998, lot 360. See John Sandon, The Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain (1993), colour plate 77. It is most useful to compare these jardinières with the cabinet cup sold by Bonhams on 17 May 2017, lot 371. Not only is the purple shell almost identical to that on the present lot but the thick seaweed with dabs of white enamel to create surface texture is a distinctive and effective trait in each case. Both lots exhibit similar neoclassical ''Greek key'' gilding at the rims. For more images, please visit www.fineantiqueenglishporcelain.co.ukJonathan Purt is an online dealer in the finest Antique English Porcelain.Worldwide shipping available. Please ask for a quote. For a larger selection of stock, please visit my online shop:www.fineantiqueenglishporcelain.co.uk