Ref: Y880
Archive item - not for sale
English Chelsea 'Hob in the Well' octagonal kakiemon-style dish, c. 1755, decorated in the centre with Sima Guang, a historian of the Song dynasty, rescuing his friend from drowning in a large jar by throwing stones to break it and release the water, while a third boy pulls him from the jar, with birds flying overhead, the border with a garland of flowerheads and foliage, diameter: 8 1/4in., 20.8cm; condition: broken and re-stuck with associated small chips restored. The design of this plate is based upon a c.1700 Japanese Arita ware original, and was also copied by Meissen and Chinese export kilns. Similar Chelsea dishes can be found in the British Museum Collection, museum number: 1938,0314.65.CR; and the Fitzwilliam Museum Collection. The design of this dish on Chelsea porcelain is known as 'Hob in the Well' as it was originally thought to have been based upon a scene in the play 'The Country Wake', written by Thomas Doggett in 1696. SOLD
