First Period Worcester Porcelain Sir Joshua Reynolds Shell Dessert Dish c.1770

A superb Worcester porcelain shall shaped dessert dish painted in the "Sir Joshua Reynolds" pattern with a shaped outer wet blue ground, over gilded with a geometric diaper design, intersected with stylised foliate starbursts with delicate hanging tendrils. The central reserve shows a handsome ho-ho type bird, with magnificent tail, sitting on top of a rock, with stylised twining vine branches ending with exotic lotus type flowers. A vibrant kakiemon style palette of brilliant aquamarine turquoise, iron red, lemon yellow and lilac blue, with black enamel outlines and detailing. The shaped finger hold section is picked out with puce enamel, underglaze wet blue and gilding. Marked with the Wigornia "W" mark. c.1770.