Penrose Antiques

Description

We have for sale a very rare example of a Swansea porcelain saucer with applied beading c1817.

This attractive and unusual Swansea porcelain saucer is of a round form, and decorated with flowers around the rim around a central circular band of individually rolled and placed porcelain beads which surrounds a central turquoise filled circle surrounded by small gilt leaves. Saucers of this form are very hard to find. We have only ever seen an undecorated example in white. This is the first decorated example we have encountered. What makes this saucer particularly attractive is that you can see the work of the craftsman. Each porcelain bead was rolled by hand and placed by hand. As such each one is slightly different and the spacing isn't quite uniform. Arranging them must have been a very painstaking task. The saucer is unmarked, but of a known Swansea form.

The saucer is 5.3 inches (13.5cm) in diameter and in a good antique condition with no chips, cracks or repairs, although there does seem to be a bead missing.