Going through Antiquesreview archives – I came across another question – this one from 1999…
Dear Sir,
I have in my possession a small, crudely painted, blue and white shallow dish. It looks Chinese, but the porcelain isn’t very crisp. There are three little cannon balls in the pattern and trees with a pagoda and a hut on islands and on the left of one is a tiny fisherman, sitting fishing. Although it was covered in soil when found, it is in excellent condition. Can you please tell me what it is and if it is valuable? Pamela
I thought this was extremely exciting when I got this email all those years ago – it was so frustrating not being able to get a photo – but not everyone had a digital camera in 1999. After a short exchange, we established that there were squiggly marks on the base that were hand painted in blue, and when held up to the light, there was a slightly greenish cast to the off-white, almost creamy porcelain where the light shone through – without any noticeable blotchiness…
This was my reply
Dear Pamela,
Thank you for your enquiry and the extra information you have been able to send me since, by email. As you will appreciate, without a photo, I have to be a little cautious when valuing your piece. I will therefore tell you what I think it may be… but I recommend that you check this with a specialist auctioneer, before even thinking about selling it.
I was excited by the description, as this suggests that this piece is a variant of an eighteenth century English pattern that was used for less than thirty years by the factory that first produced it, before it faded away. Although the main pattern was much copied in its lifetime, the addition of the seated fisherman makes it much more exciting. I would, therefore date your saucer dish as being contemporary with First Period Worcester – and almost certainly a variant of a Dr Wall pattern called “Cannonball” that was first produced in 1755. If we could establish that it is by Worcester, as the greenish paste suggests and not an imitation by Lowestoft, Liverpool, Derby, Isleworth or Plymouth and if it is possible to identify the workman’s mark on the base… …and if we could then date the piece to the earliest productions by the Worcester Factory it would substantially increase the valuation that I am suggesting to you – so please proceed with caution… But bearing in mind the caveats – I would certainly think your saucer is the variant known as the Cannonball Fisherman worth at least £250. The only other piece I know of using this pattern is dated 1773 and is in the Dyson Perrins Museum – whose curator it would be worthwhile contacting.
Sadly, I have no idea if this was ever followed up – but I am hoping to find out what happened to this piece and so have thought it worth reproducing.