Summary
A RARE Worcester Flight and Barr covered vase to be offered for sale at Brightwells of Leominster on December 7 provides a once-ina- lifetime chance for a museum or collector to acquire a piece that is not only of importance in the history of English ceramics but also, from the related letters and receipts, throws light on the relationships of dealers and wealthy collectors in the 19th century. The porcelain vase made circa 1795, with a pierced cover and gilded decoration, is painted with a view of Hampton Court the castle-like mansion situated just a few miles from the auction rooms and now frequently open to the public. In the 1870s the house was owned by the Arkwright family their wealth derived from manufacturing and the invention of the spinning jenny that revolutionised the weaving industry. When a vase that was obviously associated with the house appeared on the market a gentleman dealer who was known to John Arkwright decided to take some advantage of the opportunity: the story of this relationship told in the papers that accompany the vase contributes to the importance of the piece and also adds some mystery and, possibly, intrigue. (Further details available upon request) Charles Schreiber (1826-1884) a Fellow of Trinity Cambridge was the second husband of Lady Charlotte Guest having moved into her household as tutor to her son just after the death of her much older husband John, the hugely wealthy Dowlais ironmaster. Charlotte (1812- 1895) was the eldest child of the 9th Earl of Lindsey and is known particularly for her translation of the Mabinogion. She was confident and independent and scandalised her very large family by marrying the handsome young tutor despite loosing much of her wealth and abandoning her home and her charitable work in Wales. The Schreibers shared a passion for antique china and objets d'art and travelled extensively across Europe in pursuit of interesting pieces. Sometimes, though by normal standards Charlotte was still a wealthy woman, they ran out of money for the next purchase and they began to sell some items though, fortunately, a large number survived and can now be seen in the Schreiber Collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The papers to be sold with the Flight and Barr vase throw light on the Schreiber method of elegant trading.
The ship vase that Charles Schreiber authenticated will be offered for sale by the Arkwright family this month, the first time it has appeared on the market since 1875.See the full content of this document
Extract
Rare English Ceramics at Brightwells
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