About this sheet
Worcester Porcelain Blue-Ground Designs, Vase, Coffee Pot & Mug, 1910
This decorative group of three original chromolithographs presents a coherent and visually rich selection of Worcester porcelain designs, published in 1910 in R. L. Hobson’s authoritative study of the manufactory. United by deep blue grounds and refined gilded ornament, the plates together illustrate the versatility of Worcester decoration across both ornamental and functional form.
NOTE: The prints are offered unframed, giving flexibility to select a frame that best suits the intended interior. The attached image of the prints in a frame is an impression only.
The left plate depicts a coffee pot with a “scale-blue” ground, its surface patterned with repeating scales and enriched with shaped reserves containing a lively figural scene. The elegant spout and handle are carefully integrated into the decorative scheme, while gilded accents highlight the contours and lend the piece a luxurious, ceremonial character. This design demonstrates Worcester’s ability to elevate everyday service wares through complex patterning and narrative imagery.
At centre is a tall vase with panels by O’Neale, set against a deep blue ground and dominated by a large classical figurative scene. The figures are framed by delicate gold scrollwork that emphasizes the verticality of the form. Compared to the coffee pot, this design reads as more monumental and formal, acting as the visual anchor of the group. The balance between dark ground, pale panel, and gold detailing exemplifies Worcester’s highest level of decorative refinement.
The right plate shows a mug with a “powder-blue” ground, decorated with floral sprays within shaped reserves. The softer, more matte blue tone and the smaller scale of the object provide a gentle counterpoint to the larger pieces. Gilded scrolls and borders unify the mug with the other designs while underscoring its domestic function.
Together, these three prints form an intentional and decorative ensemble: service ware, ornamental vase, and drinking vessel, all tied together by blue grounds and gold highlighting. The chromolithographic technique captures both the depth of colour and the subtle sheen of the gilding, conveying the richness of the original porcelain surfaces.
The prints originate from Worcester Porcelain: A Description of the Ware from the Wall Period to the Present Day by R. L. Hobson, published in London by Bernard Quaritch in 1910. They were drawn by J. H. Thorpe and printed by W. Griggs & Sons, renowned for their high-quality colour printing for museum and scholarly publications.
Condition:
Very good condition. Light, even age toning consistent with early 20th-century chromolithographs. Colours remain strong and well preserved. Minor handling marks at the margins. Visible plate marks.
Framing tips:
Frame uniformly in dark walnut or ebonised frames with generous ivory mats. When displayed as a triptych, place the tall vase at centre, with the coffee pot and mug on either side to create a balanced and harmonious wall composition.
Technique: Chromolithography
Maker: J. H. Thorpe, London, 1910
