Leeds, circa 1790.

Original drawing for sauce boat is in "Leeds Pottery Drawing Book No.1", and dated "Jun.[?] 29, 1790". (please see "The Leeds Pottery 1770-1881", John D. Griffin, Vol. II , p. 329, Plate 491, The Leeds Art Collections Fund, 2005) The sauce boat and stand are sculptural in form, combining Shell Edge with Feather Edge embellishments. Typical of the rococo aesthetic, scribed lines mimic the tipping action of pouring gravy. Both sauce boat and stand have scrolled volute near and at handle, respectively. The entwined reeded handles terminate with sprigged foliage.

Dimensions: H. of the sauceboat: 5 3/4 in. L. of the sauceboat: 8 1/8 in.W. of the sauceboat: 3 7/8 in.L. of the stand: 9 in.W. of the stand: 6 1/4 in.

Provenance: A Distinguished New York Collection of Creamware

Literature: Historical Notices or the Leeds Old Pottery. 1892, by Joseph R. Kidson- Plate 7 illustrates a very similar sauceboat.

Sauceboat: Exterior under spout: The seam from juncture of two halves of the molded sauceboat has opened up during the firing and caused fissures for approximately four inches in length. These are not cracks, but were created during the firing of the piece. Multiple small glaze flakes and tiny nicks along the rim. Tiny glaze flakes to handle. There is an old crack along the seam line which is possibly from the firing process (when the two halves were joined originally). One 1/2 x 1/4 in. surface chip to the base and a small chip 1/8 in. in length. Several minute chips including glaze flakes. On the underside of foot rim there is a minute chip as well as multiple small chips and nicks. Near the beginning of the left side of the scroll there is 1 1/4 in. tight disolocored hairline crack at rim, near handle. Undertray: Multiple tiny nicks and glaze flakes to the edge of the rim.