Three’s the lucky number for a woman who’s discovered a 230-year-old Derby porcelain teacup and saucer gilded by an artisan ancestor thanks to the Derby Telegraph.
Barbara Holder, from Mickleover, spotted a story in her local newspaper about a 4,000-strong collection of Derby porcelain being sold at Etwall’s Hansons Auctioneers on January 17 – and decided to investigate on the off-chance she would find a piece painted by her great-great-great grandfather William Cooper.
She said: “I only found out a few months ago, through studying ancestry, that my great-great-great grandfather painted china at the Derby porcelain works factory from 1785-1795.
“His objects are marked with a number 3 so I went along to Hansons to see if I could find a piece – and I did. In fact, I was drawn to it for some reason. I’m delighted. It was quite an emotional moment for me when I found his teacup and saucer. I will be bidding.”
In fact, Mrs Holder found four pieces gilded by William Cooper and also met former Derby man David Boorman, who is selling the porcelain collection which he gathered over the last 10 years to remind him of his home city.
David, 75, a retired IT expert, is Derby-born-and-bred but left the city in 1978 as his job took him all over the UK and to America. He now lives in Newcastle-upon-Tyne but still thinks of Derby as home.
He said: “It’s a magical coincidence. I’m delighted for Barbara. It’s wonderful to think objects I’ve taken such a great pleasure in collecting might be bought by people who will truly treasure their value.”
William Cooper was born in Derby in 1769 and married Ann Redfern in at St Werburgh’s Church in 1790. He is related to Mrs Cooper through her mother’s side of the family. The teacup and saucer found date back to 1790 and bear his gilder’s number.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “What a wonderful find for Mrs Holder – a 230-year-old teacup and saucer decorated by her great-great-great grandfather.
“William Cooper would have worked by candlelight to paint fine Derby porcelain which is admired around the world for its quality and style. I’m so pleased Mrs Holder has had the opportunity to see and hold his work for the first time.”
The David Boorman Derby Porcelain Collection will be sold on Friday, January 17 at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire DE65 6LS.
To view the catalogue CLICK HERE.
Any ceramics to sell?
We hold monthly sales of ceramics and glassware and warmly welcome all types of pottery and porcelain including Royal Crown Derby, Moorcroft, Wedgwood, Doulton, Beswick, Royal Worcester and more. To arrange a free valuation, email Edward Rycroft: [email protected] Alternatively, pop down to one of our free valuation days at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, DE65 6LS, on Wednesdays, 5-7.30pm, Fridays, 10am-4pm, and Saturdays, 9am-noon.
