The rain, grey skies and long winter may have taken its toll but a magnificent collection of Royal Worcester fruit-painted porcelain will inject sunshine into your life.
Around 30 pieces of the sought-after tableware will be sold in Hansons’ Antiques and Collectors Auction on Friday, April 20 – and they capture the very essence of summer.
Inspired by the orchard, cups, saucers, plates, ginger jars and a pot pourri vase are decorated with a fruit basket of delights including apples, pears, plums, grapes and raspberries.
And the vibrant colours including shades of orange, red, purple, pinks and green – enhanced by lashings of real gold – deliver a fruitful feast for the eye.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It’s been a delight to handle the sale of these items which belonged to a well-known Nottinghamshire businessman and we really hope to ripen his fruit and add a pound or two to a very weighty and desirable market for Royal Worcester fruit-painted porcelain.
“The fruit has been painted by hand and is exquisite in its detail. It’s enough to make you want to eat your five-a-day every day.”
“Royal Worcester has been long renowned for its painted fruit wares. It is believed artist Octar H Copson was the first to paint Worcester fruit. He produced a large plaque commissioned by a farmer to celebrate the introduction of the Pershore plum in 1880.
“Modern painters can train for up to seven years before being allowed to take their place with the great Worcester artists of the past.
“They use a palette of translucent colours and after the first layer of colour is applied the item is fired. Following this, further stages of painting and firing are carried out.
“At each stage the Worcester fruit painter will build up the strength of colour to give the fruit a three-dimensional quality. Translucent colours are used so lighter colours underneath will show through and give depth to the finished piece.
“All is immeasurably enhanced by the hand-crafted skills of the gilder and burnisher, who use 22 carat gold and special techniques to add richness and splendour to these beautiful pieces.”
The Royal Worcester tableware will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall, on April 20. Our Antiques and Collectors and specialist sales run from April 19-21 and 23-25. Viewing is on April 17, 10am-4pm, and April 18, 11am-7pm. Catalogue online at www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk from Saturday, April 14. Place advance bids online or bid live at www.the-saleroom.co.uk. To find our more, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
