A Rare English Porcelain Rose and Moth Pattern Ice Cup c1760-70

A very rare English porcelain sorbet cup, hand painted in underglaze blue with floral sprays and a large moth c1760-70.

The cup measures 6.8cm in diameter and stands 7.1cm tall.

Displays well without restoration. There is a 5mm chip to the rim, a crack to the handle and a little staining to the rim and foot from age. The foot is also partially unglazed.

Unmarked.

There is debate to which factory made this cup. Some think Derby and others Bow, it may even be another factory. In support of a Derby attribution was Dr Tony Wells, who’s ice cup is in the collection of Dr Signy. This is where I 1st saw an example. On 1st sight I thought Bow and said so to Mike….. Who replied no, Derby.

This cup was purchased as Derby at Woolley and Wallis
However, I was discussing this cup with Nicholas Gent. Nick suggests that the cup is Bow and say’s he had 4 which he sold as Bow. Jill Gosling also purchased one from the Hillis Collection as Bow.

Bow made a similar pattern on tea wares, and example of this is on a trembleuse saucer. However, the border decorating is closer to that found at Derby, see wine taster sold at Hanson’s. It could be said that this is down to different decorators, but the decoration on each item seams to be consistent. My ice cup is the same as the Hillis example. My saucer, the same as Steven Goss’s example etc.

Personally I am not sure. Please make your own mind up Bow, Derby or another factory a rare ice cup wherever it was made.