On SOLD 18th Century Worcester Porcelain Transfer Printed Saucer Dish.

The gently-everted round dish transfer-printed to the center in warm black with a rare Rococo variation of The Tea Party pattern, by Robert Hancock.

Signed in the engraving, R. Hancock fecit 1757, along the mandolin neck. 

Circa 1757-1760. 

6 1/2" Diameter. 

Provenance: 

Collection of Ann and Travis Epes, of Virgina, collection number 27.

Jill Fenichell, Incorporated.

Robin Henry Ceramic Collection, New York.

Collection #32

Note: The Epeses bought the saucer from a source who acquired it at the auction of Augusta Root Howes Estate, Sotheby Parke Bernet, Inc. June 13-14, 1989, lot 502, in which sale this item is shown on the cover. 

Parallels: Geoffrey Godden, 18th Century English Porcelain, page 11 and plate 24. 

Very few dishes printed with this version of the Tea Party exist. The elaborate "spectacle" bench and tea table are remarkably fashionable, each depicted as animated parts of the view. 

Dawson, Aileen, The Art of Worcester Porcelain, 1751-1788: Masterpieces from the British Museum Collection (London: British Museum Press: 2007), p. 160. 

Dawson discusses the three main variations of Hancock's Tea Party Print.