A small collection of English-decorated Chinese porcelain 18th century

A small collection of English-decorated Chinese porcelain 18th century, with original underglaze blue decoration of prunus and peony sprays, figures in landscapes, and hatched borders around anhua bands, later decorated in the Imari style with floral highlights to the existing decoration, Chinese figures and small buildings or sentry boxes flying pennant flags, some with foliate, floral and diaper panels. Comprising: a tall mug, two spoon trays, a small mug, a coffee cup, two teabowls and eight saucers. (15)

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, nos. 377, 425, 456, 500, 501, 512, 534, 570, 699, 771 and 772.

The diversity of the decoration on the items in this lot shows not only the longevity of the Imari palette with English decorators, but also the change in attitude to the original decoration, with some pieces complementing the original design, while others fill every millimetre of white space with gilt and red enamel. The so-called 'Sentry Box' device originated in Holland in the early 18th century and is thought to have reached England by the 1720s.