In 1953, Sydney collector, Annie Maria Gillies, bequeathed around 100 decorative art objects to the Vaucluse Park Trust, which later became part of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. In 1998, the Trust transferred this collection to the Powerhouse Museum.

The greater part of this collection consists of around 80 examples of English porcelain dating from the mid eighteenth to the early nineteenth century. These items represent the strength of the English porcelain industry, including the vast market for objects with rococo and neoclassical motifs as well as Asian-inspired designs and forms. Worcester, Chelsea, Derby, Bow and Spode were some of the largest and most successful factories operating in England at this time, and their work is well-represented in this collection.

"Man with a bomb" pattern.

Worcester, England, c 1768.

Part of the Annie Marie Gillies collection transferred from the Historic Houses Trust in 1998.

Sauce boat, porcelain, made by Royal Worcester Porcelain Co Ltd, England, c. 1768

A white porcelain, helmet shaped sauce boat with high foot gadrooned rim and flat handle with scroll and thumbrest terminating in acanthus leaf.The body is patterned with a basket weave pattern in relief with blue painted chinoiserie scenes in reserves. The right hand reserve shows a figure fishing with pagodas, trees and birds in the background, the left hand reserve shows a man with a bomb. The reserve under the spout has a pagoda, trees and birds, there are sprays of leaves on both sides of the foot and floral sprays on spout and base internally.

Made: 1768

Unfilled crescent in blue.

2005/201/70

1768

100 mm

90 mm