WORCESTER PORCELAIN DR WALL KING OF PRUSSIA ROBERT HANCOCK PRINTED ONGLAZE ENGLISH PORCELAIN BOWL C.1757
"A rare 18th Century Worcester Porcelain large bowl black transfer printed design by Robert Hancock, depicting the King of Prussia, military trophies, etc. 1757-60. Unlike the more common mugs - this bowl provides an almost unique opportunity to enjoy these prints executed and displayed to their full potential." Antiques Expert Hamilton Bear.
 
Onglaze transfer printed in jet black enamel - one side of this bowl printed with Hancock's famous King of Prussia No. 2 three-quarter profile print dated 1757 - which dates from 1757-60. The other main prints on this bowl are:
(i) The still life print of the inscribed battle flags and military trophies and arms.
(ii) An additional large print of a flying angel figure blowing a pair of trumpets, probably allegorical of fame. This exists between the two main prints on the bowl.
(iii) A smaller subsidiary print of a cannon and barrels of gunpowder.
Robert Hancock the designer and etcher-engraver of the print and plates produced a number of other popular designs some of which were later included in "The Ladies Amusement" - an 18th century 'clipart' source book for drawing classes. Richard Holdship, credited by the presence of a rebus anchor mark on the porcelain, was one of the partners in the Worcester factory at the time these prints were made. Holdship demonstrated a practical and commercial interest in developments in the printing workshop at Worcester. Holdship later surfaced at Derby where he sank his anchor mark into a number of items of onglaze transfer printed Derby porcelain - although sadly few examples have survived.
The King of Prussia print was not the first transfer print produced on the glaze of English porcelain, or even on Worcester porcelain - there had been contemporary and earlier developments at Bow in 1756 and also by John Sadler in Liverpool and at the Worcester works the smoky primitives experimental wares. King of Prussia was however the first print on porcelain to enjoy phenomenal popularity; an exciting modern 18th century marvel of its time - discussed by the press - it captivated an English gentry and emergent merchant class in a manner we struggle to comprehend today.
The King of Prussia became a popular overnight English hero for doing battle with France and Austria during the Seven Years war (1756-63) and winning some timely skirmishes when morale was low. Hancock with his 1757 print caught the popular mood in time to celebrate these victories; so much so that King of Prussia prints were copied by the Liverpool factories keen to help Worcester keep up with popular demand!
Examination with a magnifier of Hancock's work 250 odd years late, reveals an extraordinary level of definition, clarity and detail which was never to be matched by the underglaze printing that followed: it is printing that has never been bettered on English porcelain.
The most common item decorated with the King of Prussia prints are mugs or tankards in a variety of sizes followed by jugs then bowls - which are quite rare: The large flat surface areas of these items being an ideal media to receive these detailed prints. King of Prussia Worcester items were the first 'commemorative' collectables.
 
References: Hobson, R.L., Catalogue of the Frank Lloyd Collection of Worcester Porcelain of the Wall Period, British Museum, 1923 illustrates a typical King of Prussia mug in the British museum. Sandon, Henry, The Illustrated Guide to Worcester Porcelain, 1751-1793, Barrie & Jenkins, 1969 plate 34 for the 'reverse' trophies print on a jug with the signature marks described above clearly visible.
Dimensions: width 192 mm max. Approx. 7 1/2 ins.
Marks: 'Signed' with monogram "RH Worcester" for Robert Hancock. Also 'signed'. to the left edge of the trophies print with the rebus anchor mark for Richard Holdship.
Condition: In great display condition. No damages to porcelain and no restoration. Prints around the outside are good with no significant discernible rubbing wear or fading. Condition Report: There is typical surface wear and associated rubbing to the small secondary cannon print on the inside floor of the bowl. Shape of the bowl is warped, misshapen, from potting. Generally not that obvious from most viewpoints and not uncommon with the larger early porcelain bowls.
 
Please study all images carefully forming part of this description before you buy ...
 
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