Royal Worcester Pair of Lady's Slipper Orchid Wall Pockets, 1886

An exceptionally rare Victorian pair of Royal Worcester porcelain wall pockets, shaped as lady's-slipper orchids and dating to 1886; the design of this model was originally developed and introduced into production in 1881. This model is recognised by experts as an outstanding example of late 19th-century British decorative art.

Made during Victorian Orchidomania, this finely moulded Blush Ivory pair reflects the period's intense British fascination with exotic orchids and decorative objects inspired by them.

The reverse of each pocket bears the green printed overglaze Royal Worcester crown-and-circle mark, used as a sign of exclusivity for costly, individually made interior pieces such as these wall pockets; the letter X is the factory date code for 1886.

Their elaborate moulding, deep relief and thin projecting petals made production technically difficult and resulted in a high rate of kiln loss, making survival as a closely matched pair particularly notable for collectors of rare Royal Worcester and historical English porcelain.

Dimensions: the first wall pocket weighs 353 g and measures 21 cm long, 16 cm wide and 6.8 cm high. The second weighs 350 g and measures 21 cm long, 16 cm wide and 6.7 cm high.

Condition: The first wall pocket has traces of glue on the rear hanging fitting. These are surface marks rather than evidence of repair. There is a small area of dullness to the reverse gilding and two areas of cloudy enamel on the white reverse surface of the flower. Otherwise, it is in ideal condition, with complete preservation of the gold and painted decoration. The second wall pocket has slight traces of pale paint on the reverse where the petals join the body; they do not give the impression of being connected with damage. Otherwise, it is in excellent condition. All the noted imperfections are very small and have virtually no effect on the overall appearance of the wall pockets.

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.