Flight, Barr & Barr Worcester Porcelain Basket, C.1820-1825

A particularly fine circular porcelain dessert basket from the Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester, produced by Flight, Barr & Barr circa 1820–1825.

It is raised on four gilt lion's-paw feet and fitted with a plaited overhead handle issuing from large gilt leaf terminals. The wide scalloped rim is richly moulded with overlapping leaves in relief, heightened throughout with gilding.

Its apple-green centre is painted with an accomplished still-life composition of strawberries, redcurrants, plums and other fruit, accompanied by small flowers and butterflies. The basket combines ambitious sculptural modelling, refined enamel work and exceptionally well-preserved gilding.

The red printed crowned mark beneath reads: "Royal Porcelain Works, Flight, Barr & Barr, Worcester & Coventry St. London." The name Flight, Barr & Barr was used by the Worcester factory from 1813 until its amalgamation with Chamberlain in 1840. Coventry Street identifies the firm's London warehouse at No. 1 Coventry Street, near Piccadilly Circus, rather than the place of manufacture.

The base also retains a circular paper label for The Flight Collection, numbered 019. This provenance relates to the Worcester collection formed by Howard Emerson Flight, Lord Flight (1948–2026), a direct descendant of Thomas Flight, purchaser of the Worcester Porcelain Works in 1783. Important selections from the collection were sold at Bonhams, London, in 2023, with further dispersals at Toovey's in December 2025.

Dimensions:

weight 424 g

diameter 21.5 cm

height 10.5 cm

Condition:

Excellent antique condition. Two small, neat areas of overpainting are present on the reverse beside the handle terminals. No damage is visible in these areas. Two minute surface scratches are visible on the green ground only at an angle. Otherwise, the basket is in remarkably fine condition, with outstanding preservation of the gilding, colours and enamel.

Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. It is important to note that shipping costs include labour, packaging and postage.