Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
Tea Bowl

CultureEnglish
Titles
  • Tea Bowl
  • from the "Fence" pattern
Datec. 1765–1785
Made inWorcester, England
MediumSoft-paste porcelain
Dimensions1 5/8 × 3 1/16 in. diameter (4.1 × 7.7 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Marjorie M. Moorhead
Object numberB.97.36.1
Not on view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionDoctor John Wall and three partners established the Worcester Porcelain Factory in 1751. The following year, the firm purchased the Bristol factory of Benjamin Lund and so acquired much technical know-how. The factory soon began producing good quality, thinly potted, and durable soft-paste porcelain that did not crack or craze in contact with hot liquids. It made large quantities of tea and coffee wares and decorative vases. The factory pioneered the use of transfer-printing, from 1757 in black and by 1760 in underglaze blue. In the 1770s, there was a rapid growth in the area of blue transfer-printed wares. This object is decorated in the "Fence" pattern, the most popular of all the Worcester underglaze blue printed designs. It is decorated with a zigzagging fence, two birds in flight, flowers, and an island.
ProvenanceMrs. William H. Moorhead, Houston; given to MFAH, 1997.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[no inscriptions]
Marked on underside: blue Worcester shaded crescent

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Tea Bowl and Saucer
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1765
Soft-paste porcelain
85.28.1,.2
Tea Bowl
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
1775
Soft-paste porcelain
88.347.1
Saucer
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1765–1785
Soft-paste porcelain
B.97.36.2
Tea Set
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1765
Soft paste porcelain with polychrome transfer decoration
93.143.1-.24
Tea Bowl
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
1760–1765
Soft-paste porcelain
93.142.1
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1804–1813
Soft-paste porcelain
96.1149.1-.47
Saucer
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
1775
Soft-paste porcelain
88.347.2
Set of Tea Bowls
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
18th century
Soft-paste porcelain
71.127.1-.12
Tea Caddy and Cover
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
1765–1770
Soft-paste porcelain
71.140.A,.B
Vase (part of a garniture set)
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1755–1770
Soft-paste porcelain
B.56.93.4
Vase (part of a garniture set)
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
c. 1755–1770
Soft-paste porcelain
B.56.93.2
Waste Bowl
Worcester Porcelain Manufactory
1765–1770
Soft-paste porcelain
71.136