Child's Gaudy Welsh Flow Blue Tea Set

OYSTER ~ SMOKING BUDDHA

Charles Allerton & Sons

Staffordshire England c 1890

This is a spectacular handpainted childs doll house tea service c 1890. The earthenware bodied set is decorated with a hand painted abstract motif in traditional Gaudy Welsh Flow Blue palette with iron red oranges and pink lustre rims. Decorated with a fanciful design typically called OYSTER, a traditional name given to this traditional decorative folk art motif, or sometimes referred to as SMOKING BUDDHA. This design is very striking with a strong japanesque influence capturing the Victorian fascination with the exotic far east.

The serving pieces are octagonal in form, with square finials. The set consists of:
• TEAPOT WITH LID 5-1/2 inches tall 
• SUGAR WITH LID 4-1/2 inches tall
• CREAM PITCHER 3-1/2 inches tall
• 4 CUPS 2 inches tall
• 4 SAUCERS 4-1/4 inches in diameter
• 4 CAKE PLATES 5-3/8 inches in diameter and
• WASTE BOWL 3-1/4 inches tall

The set was made by Charles Allerton & Sons, a pottery manufacturer in the Staffordshire region of England who was well known for his fanciful children's tea sets. The pieces are marked ‘Staffordshire England’.

The set is in great condition, especially considering its age and use by generations of children. There are no chips cracks or repairs. Discoloration inside the waste bowl and minor overall glaze crazing. The workmanship is haphazard, which is one of the reasons many people collect it...not fine china, and not meant to be; it was made for children and probably considered disposable. There is runny glaze and little bumps and dips and kiln kisses and glazed over edge frits original to the making. The naïve and hasty style adds to the folksy charm. A great set to display or use.