A rare Chelsea mug c.1754-55

A rare Chelsea mug c.1754-55, of unusually large size, the bell shape finely painted with fancy birds perched in branches, perhaps after George Edwards, the reverse with a botanical sprig of apple blossom, a well restored crack, 12.5cm high.

This unusual form is believed to have been copied from the Vincennes/Sèvres factory who produced a small amount of such mugs or cups (known as a bardaque) for the Turkish market. For a Vincennes example cf. Sotheby's, The Evill/Frost Collection Part III, 16th June 2011, lot 210.