Bidspirit auction | Set 10 Worcester ”Dragon in

Set 10 Worcester ”Dragon in Compartment” Plates - Chamberlain's Worcester, England. Set of ten ”Dragon in Compartment” pattern porcelain dinner plates, ca. 1815. Marked in handwritten script along the underside. The pattern also known as ”Kylin” or ”Bengal Tiger.” Provenance: The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Worcester began producing this design in the 1770s. The name comes from the auspicious mythical creature set in the compartments, the Qilin, depicted uniquely with a large mouth emanating with with gilt fire or vapor. A similar creature more akin to a Foo Dog features in the opposite compartment, depicted standing on a plinth holding an object. In the compartments between these two fierce beasts are still lifes of vases and floral sprays. Surrounded by vibrant red, green, and gilt decoration in the borders. The central motif is a chrysanthemum, a symbol of longevity. Overall the pattern is rife with auspicious symbols and motifs. The pattern draws heavily from Chinese Kangxi examples, showcasing the Western desire for imported goods. This pattern is also an excellent example of the cross-cultural exchange that occurred as a result of the import of porcelain goods, showing how Western eyes interpreted Eastern symbology. This is especially evident in the names given to the pattern, ”Bengal Tiger” or ”Dragon in Compartment, ” showing how these mythical creatures were interpreted into known animals in the Western world. (Each) Diameter: 9 1/2 in. Condition: There are networks of scattered and small areas of restoration, visible under UV light, along the undersides of each plate. There are four plates with large and toned areas of overspray repairs to hairline cracks along the undersides; one of these plates with a repaired chip along the rim of the plate with small chips along the perimeter of the repair. There are three additional plates with hairline cracks: one plate with two small Y-form cracks along the underside, and two plates each with one toned hairline crack spanning from the rim to the footrim. There are small repaired chips along the rim of one plate and the footrim of a second plate. Wear and some losses to the gilt and pigment throughout. Light wear along the surfaces, commensurate with use. There are accretions along the footrims.