Centuries-old ceramics are adored by collectors and this elegant jug is cream of the crop.
It’s a rare Philip Christian & Co of Liverpool Dolphin cream boat with Lamprey handle, circa 1775. It would have adorned tables nearly 250 years ago, an elegant accompaniment to a summer dessert.
Liverpool became known for its porcelain manufacture from 1754 and examples from Philip Christian & Co grace London’s V&A museum.
The story can be traced back to Richard Chaffers (1731- 1765). Chaffers, the son of a Liverpool shipwright, started in business at Shaw’s Brow in 1752. He produced blue and white porcelain, mainly for export to the American colonies.
In 1755 Robert Podmore, a potter from the Worcester porcelain factory, showed him and his business partner Philip Christian how to make porcelain using soapstone discovered in Mullion Cove in Cornwall. Chaffers subsequently became a rival to Josiah Wedgwood.
Chaffers died in 1765 but Philip Christian continued the business until 1778, trading as Philip Christian & Co, and later as Philip Christian and Son.
The cream boat will be offered in Hansons’ September 27 Connoisseur Ceramics Auction. Entries invited until September 6 of English porcelain and pottery, circa 1740-1860, including Bow, Liverpool, Worcester, Derby and Chelsea Derby.
To arrange a free valuation, email ceramics consultant Gill Finney: [email protected]
