Chamberlain's Worcester Toy Vase c.1820

A very high quality and delightful toy vase or match pot made in the first quarter of the nineteenth century at the Chamberlain's Worcester factory circa 1820.

It was in 1783 that the Chamberlain Worcester story begins with Robert Chamberlain (c.1736–98)

He was the head of the decorating department at the original Worcester porcelain factory working for for Dr John Wall at Warmstry House.

He eventually left the company to start his own porcelain decorating business in King Street, Worcester.

In the beginning Robert was not able to produce his own porcelain and would use bought blank undecorated porcelain from other factories such as Caughley, but by the late 1780’s he was making his own wares at a new factory site in Severn Street, Diglis.

The business grew fast and gained a reputation for the high quality of decoration and fine porcelain which they sold. 

They sold porcelain through their own shop at no. 33 Worcester High Street and through china and fancy goods dealers in other large towns. 

By 1813 Chamberlain's had opened a London showroom at 63 Piccadilly, eventually moving to 155 New Bond Street in 1816.

Various back stamps were employed showing these different addresses which can be used to help date pieces of porcelain.

The mark in this little toy vase is one of the earliest marks, simply a hand written "Chamberlains Worcester" mark.  But this may be due to the space available, as the style of this piece is from the 1820's period rather than the 1790's.

The dry navy blue ground is very unusual and was very difficult to fire without it becoming uneven.

The gilding around the top rim is intentionally dull where as the gilding around the foot is a bright mirror gilding.  These two types of gilding have then been combined in the cartouche around the tiny painting of a fancy bird.

For the period its a technical "tour de force".

Maker's marks:
Hand written mark "Chamberlains Worcester"

Dimensions:
66 mm tall, 58mm diameter at the rim

Weight:
57g

Age:
205 years

Condition:
Very good antique condition:  No chips cracks or restorations.  Some minor losses to the gilding at the foot and around the cartouche,  see the images, a little wear to the glaze on the top edge, a little crazing of the glaze inside at the bottom with some discolouration.  

Maker:
Chamberlain's Worcester