Early Willow Root Pattern Coffee Can c1752-53

An early Worcester porcelain coffee can with flared base c1752-53.

Hand painted in underglaze blue with the Willow Root pattern comprising a large central willow root adjacent to a triangular shaped fence with a willow tree issuing from a holed rock formation. To the reverse is a well drawn fishing boat with an island in the background. The Willow Root is thought to be the very first complete pattern produced in blue and white at Worcester and is to found on a variety of different shaped coffee cans, mugs, bell-shaped tankards, large and small round bowls and very rarely on teabowls. To date no saucers have been found. There is also a variation of the pattern that includes a Long Eliza figure on some objects.

The can measures 7.5cm across including handle and stands 6.4cm tall.

Tiny nick to the rim almost invisible to the naked eye. Firing fault to the body (inside) e=where the handle joins.

There is an incised mark to the base.

The base carries a collectors label showing that the can was purchased from Steppes Hill Farm Antiques in October 1997.

Other examples of this pattern were sold in the Watney Sales of 1999/2000 in Parts 1 & 111 and further examples can be found in other great collections sold in the early 2000’s