A RARE WILLIAM AND MARY FAUX TORTOISESHELL TÔLE PEINTE WASSAIL OR PUNCH BOWL

A RARE WILLIAM AND MARY FAUX TORTOISESHELL TÔLE PEINTE WASSAIL OR PUNCH BOWL

C.1690

the rounded body with a band of eight stands for cups or glasses, on a knopped stem and stepped circular foot, with gilt 'Stalker and Parker' decoration on a faux red tortoiseshell ground

29.9cm high, 43cm diameter (max)

Provenance

Robert Bradley Antiques, Salisbury.

Catalogue Note

The fashion for lacquer and lacquered items developed in the late 17th century when Charles II renewed the charter of the East Indian Company in 1672 and started to buy lacquered cabinets for his own collection. This was further promoted by John Stalker and George Parker with their publication 'A Treatise of Japanning and Varnishing' in 1688. The process of Japanning was developed by Thomas and Edward Allgood in Pontypool and further developed in Usk and the West Midlands, although the red tortoiseshell effect was a characteristic style of decoration specifically of Pontypool.

For a very similarly decorated monteith, please see Christie's, 18th June 2008, Simon Sainsbury - The Creation of an English Arcadia, Vol.1, lot 95 that sold for £13,750 (including buyer's premium).