Bloor Period Derby Porcelain Bough Pot Dodson Exotic Birds c.1815

Code: FA0715

Dimensions:

A really pretty Derby bough pot and cover with a deep mazarine blue ground and a central panel with canted corners painted with exotic pheasants against a landscape most likely by Richard Dodson. A very fine quality piece but it has been repaired (details below) so it is only suited to display. The main reserve is framed with an ornate gilded border to the sides with the rest of the front of the pot having gilded bands around the rims and a feathered border below the upper rim. The snakes head side handles are also gilded. The domed, pierced cover is white with gilding around the inside of the holes. The reverse of the pot is undecorated and the base is marked with the red crossed swords marks with crown and D, c. 1815.

It measures 25.5cm/10" wide, 10.5cm/4 1/8" deep and 14.5cm/5 3/4" high. 

Condition: the pot has been broken in half and repaired. The break was very clean and neat and the join is very nearly invisible to the front but discoloured under the base and up the back. My restorer has checked the repair and is satisfied it appears stable. There has been some good touching up of the gilding at the points of the join. There is also a hairline under the base running a short way from the break line. The left snake handle has had some restoration and both have been professionally re-gilded. The lid supports inside the pot are all intact with no repairs and the lid is also without issue but again has had a little good quality touching up of the gilding. There is some crazing and discoloration inside the base of the pot and a loss of the glaze inside one corner. There is a small frit to the rim disguised by the gilding and light wear to the gilding on the rim. The re-gilding has been done sympathetically but is unavoidably slightly brighter than the period gilding but it will soften over time and in the meantime is certainly not distracting.
I personally wouldn't risk trying to use the piece practically as whilst the repair has been likely professionally done and seems fine and stable, there could be consequences of undue pressure being applied to the site by water or other medium. It is a beautiful piece and its faults are of minimal aesthetic detriment when on display.