Lot

237

A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775

In A Taste of Rococo: Porcelain from an American ...

This auction is live! You need to be registered and approved to bid at this auction.
You have been outbid. For the best chance of winning, increase your maximum bid.
Your bid or registration is pending approval with the auctioneer. Please check your email account for more details.
Unfortunately, your registration has been declined by the auctioneer. You can contact the auctioneer on +1 212 606 7000 for more information.
You are the current highest bidder! To be sure to win, come back on as the lot closes or increase your max bid.
Leave a bid now! Your registration has been successful.
Sorry, bidding has ended on this item. We have thousands of new lots everyday, start a new search.
Bidding on this auction has not started. Please register now so you are approved to bid when auction starts.
1/4
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775 - Image 1 of 4
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775 - Image 2 of 4
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775 - Image 3 of 4
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775 - Image 4 of 4
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775 - Image 1 of 4
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775 - Image 2 of 4
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775 - Image 3 of 4
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775 - Image 4 of 4
Interested in the price of this lot?
Subscribe to the price guide
New York, New York
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775

vibrantly painted with a central cluster of three peaches, an apple, on a bed of leaves, among plums, grapes and berries, the border with five panels of winged insects framed by interlocking blue and gilt scrollwork, alternating with single sprigs of fruit, green-edge shaped rim, the underside with three sprigs, gold crescent mark.

Diameter 9 in.

22.8 cm
Provenance
Prince William Henry (1743-1806), Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1760-1805);
his nephew, Prince Adolphus (1774-1850), Duke of Cambridge (1801-1850);
Thence by descent to his son Prince George (1819-1904), Duke of Cambridge (1850-1904);
Probably, Christie's London, H.R.H. The Duke of Cambridge, K.G., K.T., K.P. etc., deceased, June 6-7, 1904, lots 32-56

Catalogue note
This exceptional plate was from a service commissioned by the younger brother of King George III. Prince William Henry (1743-1806) Duke of Gloucester (1764-1806) was the fifth child of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719-1772) and Frederick (1707-1751), Prince of Wales, son of George II. When elder his brother became King George III on 25 October 1760, he was created Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, and Earl of Connaught on 19 November 1764.

On September 6th, 1766, he married the recently widowed Countess Waldergrave, Maria Walpole (1736-1807), an illegitimate daughter of Edward Walpole. The marriage was conducted in secret as the British Royal Family would not have approved of a marriage between a prince and a widow of non-royal rank and illegitimate birth. The marriage partially prompted the passing of the Royal Marriages Act of 1772. For a time, the couple lived at St. Leonard's Hill, near Windsor.

Upon his death, the Duke's possessions passed by descent to the 2nd Duke of Gloucester, but the 2nd Duke died without issue and so on his death in 1834 most of his personal effects passed to his uncle, Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. Upon the death of Adolphus’s son, Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, a large part of this set was sold at Christie's on 8 June 1904. 

The service was the first Royal commission of the Worcester porcelain factory, and as such was granted a unique mark of a gilt crescent moon. The decoration is highly influenced by a Chelsea service of about 10 years earlier, also thought to have been commissioned by the Duke of Gloucester, though now referred to by his nephew's title as the 'Duke of Cambridge Service'.

Most recently, a dinner plate, a soup plate, and a tureen from the Worcester service from the Collection of Richard Mellon Scaife, sold, Christie's New York, July 1, 2015, lots 67-68A.
A Rare Worcester Plate from 'The Duke of Gloucester Service', Circa 1775

vibrantly painted with a central cluster of three peaches, an apple, on a bed of leaves, among plums, grapes and berries, the border with five panels of winged insects framed by interlocking blue and gilt scrollwork, alternating with single sprigs of fruit, green-edge shaped rim, the underside with three sprigs, gold crescent mark.

Diameter 9 in.

22.8 cm
Provenance
Prince William Henry (1743-1806), Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1760-1805);
his nephew, Prince Adolphus (1774-1850), Duke of Cambridge (1801-1850);
Thence by descent to his son Prince George (1819-1904), Duke of Cambridge (1850-1904);
Probably, Christie's London, H.R.H. The Duke of Cambridge, K.G., K.T., K.P. etc., deceased, June 6-7, 1904, lots 32-56

Catalogue note
This exceptional plate was from a service commissioned by the younger brother of King George III. Prince William Henry (1743-1806) Duke of Gloucester (1764-1806) was the fifth child of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (1719-1772) and Frederick (1707-1751), Prince of Wales, son of George II. When elder his brother became King George III on 25 October 1760, he was created Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, and Earl of Connaught on 19 November 1764.

On September 6th, 1766, he married the recently widowed Countess Waldergrave, Maria Walpole (1736-1807), an illegitimate daughter of Edward Walpole. The marriage was conducted in secret as the British Royal Family would not have approved of a marriage between a prince and a widow of non-royal rank and illegitimate birth. The marriage partially prompted the passing of the Royal Marriages Act of 1772. For a time, the couple lived at St. Leonard's Hill, near Windsor.

Upon his death, the Duke's possessions passed by descent to the 2nd Duke of Gloucester, but the 2nd Duke died without issue and so on his death in 1834 most of his personal effects passed to his uncle, Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. Upon the death of Adolphus’s son, Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, a large part of this set was sold at Christie's on 8 June 1904. 

The service was the first Royal commission of the Worcester porcelain factory, and as such was granted a unique mark of a gilt crescent moon. The decoration is highly influenced by a Chelsea service of about 10 years earlier, also thought to have been commissioned by the Duke of Gloucester, though now referred to by his nephew's title as the 'Duke of Cambridge Service'.

Most recently, a dinner plate, a soup plate, and a tureen from the Worcester service from the Collection of Richard Mellon Scaife, sold, Christie's New York, July 1, 2015, lots 67-68A.

A Taste of Rococo: Porcelain from an American Private Collection

Ends from
Venue Address
1334 York Avenue
New York
New York
10021
United States

General delivery information available from the auctioneer

Sotheby’s Post Sale Service teams can arrange expert delivery and convenient shipping of your property. We offer exceptional service and competitive rates whether shipping a diamond bracelet or a large piece of furniture. Fully knowledgeable on all international regulations, Sotheby's will compile a full range of services for you, including collection, packing and arranging for shipping and transit insurance worldwide. For sales in London and New York, simply provide us with your delivery address when you register for a sale. Following your purchase, we will send you a competitive and comprehensive shipping quote. For property purchased in all other salerooms, contact that office directly to arrange for the transport of your purchases.

To learn more, or if we may be of assistance contact us.

Important Information

https://www.sothebys.com/en/docs/pdf/new-york-cob-for-buyers-8-7-2023.pdf

Terms & Conditions

https://www.sothebys.com/en/docs/pdf/new-york-cob-for-buyers-8-7-2023.pdf

See Full Terms And Conditions