BACKGROUND:
China Oh China, we loved and caressed you in our hands but now it is time to find a new loving, caring home! My wife is making way for much OLDER bone china & porcelain objects, specifically figurines - something has to leave home (Come on kids, out you go and see the world!)
Actually one piece has already left this world, sadly it suffered at the hands of a visitor who dropped the saucer onto the floor (Urghhhh) but that's life and these things happen. No use crying over spilt milk (my Mum used to say that yonks ago!) So the saucer is NOT offered, consider these are replacements if you already have parts of this very attractive (if Blue is your 'thing') tea setting.
These pieces are from the very well considered Hammersley & Co, manufactured when their chinaware's were of very high quality and much sought after - and to this day, many seek out that special piece of Hammersley for their collection.
Although Hammersley & Co. began using this backstamp design from 1912 onwards, we "feel" these pieces of the tea set are much later and probably left the works around the late 1930's
DLAT RATING: 10/10 (Darling Look At This!)
Sporting the very pretty Blue flowers from the Blue Cornflower family (genus Centaurea cyanus) but we are not aware of the particular species (Blue Boy, Blue Ball and others) ... these make for a welcome change from stock standard Red, Pink or Yellow roses that my wife hands me all the time!
Actually these flowers are not very common in UK any longer but here in Australia, they are widely grown and we also have our own native Blue Cornflower species but it does look slightly different to the flowers depicted on this china.
Price indicated is for EITHER PIECE, however if you wish to go "all the way" and purchase both of them, automatic discount is applied at the checkout.
HAMMERSLEY & CO. - Teacup and or Side Plate
Made in Longton, England
Circa period late 1930's onwards but based on when my wife acquired this teaset and knowing the history of the original trio, we are absolutely sure these left the works just before the Hun marched into Poland, 1939
Fine Bone China
Translucent (you can easily see the shadow of your fingers through the china when held up to a strong light source)
Pattern name: Blue Cornflower
Hand decorated, NOT transferware (artist markings are on each piece)
Gold gilding has also been skilfully hand applied (gilder's marks to the underside of each piece)
Background colour is brilliant pure White
Design: Three groupings of Blue Cornflowers with foliage around the sides of the teacup, INSIDE the teacup and on the side plate ... one grouping of flowers is much larger than the other two. I always ponder at the skills involved in decorating inside the teacups, to me, simply amazing!
Shape description(s): Scallop shaping to the rim of the teacup and the rounded corners of the square side plate. Hi-back handle to the teacup with Gold gilding applied to all three sides of the handle and around the foot of the teacup.
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
Makers mark printed on the base of the teacup (under the glaze)
Notice the hand applied code near the backstamp in Lime Green, possibly a pattern code but I cannot make out what it reads in any case!
Makers mark printed on the base of the side plate (under the glaze)
DIMENSIONS:
TEACUP: 96mm mouth x 60mm height (wide mouthed but squat)
SIDE PLATE: 158mm x 158mm (square with rounded corners)
COSMETIC CONDITION:
This first section of the condition report is universal to both pieces, any difference or flaws are noted below this section
NO cracks
NO chips
NO crazing
NO discolouration observed to the brilliant White base porcelain on either piece
NO tannin stains to the inside of the teacup
NO damage or wear is apparent to any of the decorative work
NO fleabites observed to the underside of the side plate
NO obvious wear is apparent to any of the Gold gilding on either piece, even the teacup handle which usually receives the most handling ... very nice
No further comments specific to either piece
