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English Porcelain

Collection Info
English Porcelain

Despite early experiments with the production of porcelain, the earliest commercially successful production of porcelain in England did not occur until 1745, when the Chelsea manufactory was established in London. By the 1750s a number of porcelain manufacturers were operating in London, the Midlands, East Anglia and the West of England. All English porcelain manufacturers were run as commercial businesses by entrepreneurs without direct royal or noble patronage.

Early English porcelain was “soft-paste”, low-fired and made without kaolin. During the second half of the eighteenth century, manufacturers tried different formulas to prevent their porcelain from slumping during firing or from cracking when filled with boiling liquids – an essential requirement given the British love of tea. Bodies could include “frit”, a glassy compound made of a variety of different materials that were ground and added to clay; soapstone, which prevented cracking; and bone ash, which added strength. Eventually, kaolin was discovered in England and some hard-paste porcelain was produced.

The Gardiner Museum’s assemblage of English porcelain includes gifts made by many significant Canadian collectors including George and Helen Gardiner, Vernon W. Armstrong, Norman B. and Cicely B. Bell, Barry and Marjorie Pepper, Roger Wilson, the Radlett Collection, and others. It is the most comprehensive public collection in the country.

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Bowl with "Wood Pigeons" pattern
Artist / Maker: Baddeley Littler Co.
c.1785
Object number: G99.2.21
'Neptune' Vase
Artist / Maker: Barr Flight & Barr Factory
c.1810-1820
Object number: G88.2.1
Soup plate with raised prunus pattern
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755-1765
Object number: G99.2.24
Soup plate with raised prunus pattern
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755-1765
Object number: G99.2.23
Plate with moulded prunus pattern
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755
Object number: G96.5.63
Tureen cover with Kakiemon-type pattern
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755
Object number: G96.5.62
Fork handle with moulded prunus motif
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1750
Object number: G96.5.61
Leaf-shaped dish, after a Japanese original
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755-1760
Object number: G95.2.2
Octagonal Plate with Asian-style Pattern
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755-1760
Object number: G95.2.1
Salad bowl with raised prunus design
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1754
Object number: G93.4.1
Teapot
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1750-1755
Object number: G93.2.1.1-2
Garniture of Three Vases in the Japanese Imari Style
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1750-1755
Object number: G92.1.1.1ab-3ab
Figure of a lady holding grapes
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1760-1765
Object number: G91.7.33
Figure of a shepherd with bagpipes
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1760-1765
Object number: G91.7.32
Figure of a green parrot
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1760
Object number: G91.7.31
Figure of a finch
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755-1760
Object number: G91.7.30
Figure of a bunting
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755-1760
Object number: G91.7.29
Pair of Octagonal Dessert Plates
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755-1760
Object number: G91.7.28.1-2
Pair of Shell Salt Dishes
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1747-50
Object number: G91.7.27.1-2
Teapot
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1758
Object number: G91.4.1-2
Owlet
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755-1760
Object number: G86.1.2
Saluting Harlequin
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1755
Object number: G83.1.1029
Child dressed as Harlequin
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1765-1770
Object number: G83.1.857
Children dressed as Harlequin and Harlequine
Artist / Maker: Bow Porcelain Works
c.1765
Object number: G83.1.856.1-2