Cup

Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory

1750 - 1790

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Cover for an unidentified object of dark blue jasper dip with white relief decoration, on the top a pattern of acanthus leaves with some shading, the finial with a floral element.
Large vase of solid white jasper with black jasper dip and applied white jasper relief decoration, resting on a tall, heavily ornamented pedestal base, the urn-shaped body with round foot decorated with applied white anthemion motifs, the two handles in the form of serpents holding an egg above a small portrait relief of Medusa, the main body with the relief "Apotheosis of Virgil" after John Flaxman featuring winged figures holding wreaths, a seating figure with a lyre and another with a long horn, in the center the figure of Virgil, classically draped and holding a scroll, the cover is surmounted with the figure of Pegasus, the pedestal base is square with truncated corners, at each is a griffin and on the sides are two small reliefs with classical scenes and two small reliefs with fruit and garlands, the border below the upper edge of the pedestal includes scrolling foliage and anthemion motifs.
Oval blue jasper medallion with white relief profile portrait of Thomas Bentley (1730-1780) Liverpool merchant and business partner of Josiah Wedgwood in the manufacture and experiment of Ornamental ware.Born at Scropton, Derbyshire. Bentley was introduced to Josiah Wedgwood by Dr. Matthew Turner when Josiah was bedridden in Liverpool in 1762. They seem to have been on terns of friendship from the first. Bentley was, at this time, in partnership with Samuel Boardman of Liverpool, a general merchant, and the firm became Wedgwood’s agent.Bentley agreed to become Wedgwood’s partner in 1767 for the manufacture of ornamental wares, the partnership deeds being signed in 1769, a few weeks after the opening of the Etruria factory. Bentley settled in London to take charge of the showrooms and decorating studio there, and as a man of widely ranging interests he was able to meet and influence fashionable society to a point where the showrooms became a social centre. Bentley always found difficulty in dealing with subordinates, and staffing troubles were common.Bentley was, however, essential to the design, production and sale of the ornamental wares, and Wedgwood constantly consulted him, and referred to him for approval. In 1772 Bentley married his second wife, Mary Stamford of Derby. He lived at Chelsea from 1769 to 1774. He then removed to the Greek Street showrooms, and from there, in 1777, to Turnham Green, where he remained till his death in 1780.No one ever replaced him as a friend and colleague. A very large number of Wedgwood’s surviving letters are addressed to Bentley on business and family problems, but hardly any of Bentley’s own letters have survived, so his opinions on the subjects discussed have to be deduced from what Wedgwood has to stay.
Small round plate of cast iron decorated with a stylized flower in the middle between scrolling vines within a concave rhombus, on each side a pointed oval reserve within which are the figures of Neptune with a trident, sea nymphs with sea creatures, and a sea god riding a dolphin, the outer rim decorated with a band of scrolling vines highlighted by four swans with outstretched wings; the plate is mounted on a foot that rests on a square plinth and is decorated with Gothic arches and tracery, the plate is supported by the wings of four swans who rest on top of the columnar foot, with traces of bronze patina and gilding.