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D2005-HL. Gilder's marks on 1954-760,9&12

Saucer

Date1770-1780

OriginAsia, China, Jingdezhen and England

MediumPorcelain, hard-paste

DimensionsOD: 5" Dia. of foot ring: 3 1/8" OH: 1 1/4"

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Halstead B. Vander Poel

Object number1954-760,9

DescriptionSaucer dish with scalloped rim, decorated in underglaze blue with gilding. The central motif is a high handled flower basket. Four flower sprays flank the basket. A half-inch varied cell and stylized flower border surrounds the central decoration. A gilt chain band of circles with dots between two lines butts up against the interior edge of the cell border, separating it from the four flower sprays. The rim is also gilded and there is a gilt band on the foot ring. A gilder's mark in the form of an arrow is inside the foot ring.
Label TextThis saucer is part of a teaset that was a wedding gift from George Booth of Belville, Gloucester County, on his marriage to Mary Mason Wythe, daughter of Nathaniel Wythe of Warwick County, Virginia. George Booth died early and his widow later married Philip Tabb of Toddsbury, Gloucester County. The teaset was passed down through the Tabb family until it was presented to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in the 1950s.

The gilt decoration on the saucer was added in England. China painters and gilders advertised throughout London. Although the Chinese also decorated with gilding, the English often referred to Chinese gilding as inferior. It was not uncommon for merchants or individuals to order a tea service or dinner service from China and have it gilt in England. The gilding enhanced the value of the objects and symbolized the social status of its owners.
MarkingsGilt arrow inside foot ring
ProvenanceThe teaset was originally a wedding gift from George Booth of Belville, Gloucester County, on his marriage to Mary Mason Wythe, daughter of NAthaniel Wythe of Warwick County, Va. (No relationship to George Wythe). George Booth dies early and his widow later married Philip Tabb of Toddsbury, Gloucester County. The teaset was passed down through the Tabb family until presented to Colonial Williamsburg. See folder for family history.

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