18th Century Liverpool Porcelain Printed Teabowl and Saucer, Philip Christian's Factory.

The teabowl of tapering form on a straight-sided foot.

Teabowl and saucer transfer-printed in black enamel with a gallant gentleman and lady conversing on mounds of earth, his hat lying on the grass by his feet, her hands at rest on her voluminous skirts. Behind him, a small tree, and behind her a pyramid and classical ruins to one side, and a large tree with abundant foliage. On the teabowl, this scene is cradled within scruffy foliage. The verso scene on the teabowl is of a hunter standing with rifle in his hands, with straw structure under the barrel, this scene is cradled within u-shaped foliage. 

The main scene is knowns as "The Rock Garden." 

Unmarked. 

Circa 1765. 

The teabowl 1 1/2" H., 2 3/4" Diameter. The saucer 4 1/4" Diameter. 

(There are a few kiln spots to the rim on each article, and a tiny nick to the rim of the teabowl is probably from a kiln blow out - this is from a bubble of glaze bursting in the kiln). 

Provenance: Simon Spero Antiques, London, 1997.

Robin Henry Ceramic Collection, New York.

Collection #27.