THE TWO QUAIL PATTERN 300 Years of Design on Porcelain by Dr. Chris Girton

Only 500 copies of this publication have been printed.
Copies only available direct from us at Reference Works.
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THE TWO QUAIL PATTERN 300 Years of Design on Porcelain.  A History of the Pattern and a Catalogue of Porcelain Factories from the East and West. Author Dr. Chris Girton. Forward by Geoffrey Godden Publication 6th of May 2004. 112 Pages. 130 Colour Illustrations. Soft colour covers. Over 200 items illustrated. Only 500 copies published. Less tha 40 copies now remain. Last few copies now Priced at £ 17.50 Contents :- Introduction The Species of Quails Human Association Late 17th to 18th Century Oriental Porcelain 18th Century Europe 19th Century Europe Late 19th & 20th Century Late 20th to 21st Century Designs Literature Catalogue - review of the pieces in the Exhibition.

 

Illustrated items are:- (Left) Teabowl & Saucer, China. Qianlong c.1760    (Centre) Bowl & Coffee cups Worcester C.1772    ( Right ) Saucer Dish, Herculaneum C.1810

For many thousands of years, Quails, small distinct attractive birds related to pheasants and partridges, have had a long history of human association and indeed are referenced in the bible as being important for food and considered as a gift from God by the starving Israelites. Both the Japanese and Chinese Dynasties in the 17th century looked at Quails in a mythical way and considered them to be courageous little birds, symbolising longevity and peace. So began an association by oriental scholars with Quails, which eventually found its way into drawings, paintings and ultimately onto ceramics. For over 300 years Quails have been represented on ceramics, particularly porcelain as popular study subjects. In the late 17th century and into the early 18th century, they were first depicted commonly in underglaze blue and then painted with varied colours in the Japanese Kakiemon and the Chinese Famille Rose styles. In the 18th century, they were copies by some manufacturers of porcelain in Europe and extensively in England through the 19th and 20th century. They are still being copied today by fine manufacturers of porcelain in both east and the west. Reference to the Quail pattern in ceramic literature has been relatively infrequent in the last ten to fifteen years. No comprehensive thesis on the Quail Pattern has been attempted to date covering all aspects of its history, design and its many known variations. This new publication, with a forward written by Dr. Geoffrey Godden, attempts to summarise all known 50 factories and at least 120 pattern variations produced to date and is well illustrated with 130 colour transparencies gratefully provided from museums, private collections and those found in ceramic literature and auction house catalogues. An extensive catalogue from the author's own private collection is presented at the rear part of the book and this will be available for view at the loan exhibition, The Museum of Worcester Porcelain from 2nd July to 5th September 2004. __________________________________________________________________________ This new book will obviously appeal to those interested 18th century British, Chinese and Japanese ceramics but its inclusion of a number of wares from Meissen, Chantilly, Samson, Limoges, Flight & Barr, Chamberlain, Coalport, Royal Worcester, Kutani (Japan) and other manufacturers broadens the appeal of this fascinating publication. Dr. Girton worked in the oil and gas exploration industry overseas and was based in Australia. He was a a former President of the Australian Ceramics and Glass Circle before returning to live in England in 1996. Chris and his wife Helen are well known in the British ceramic trade as dealers in fine porcelain and this year they will be exhibiting at the annual London International Ceramic Fair and Seminar in June.                 If you have any questions regarding the content of this new publication please contact us and we will be pleased to offer further information and advise.

 

Illustrated items are:- (Far Left) Saucer, China. Qianlong c.1740-50 ( Left ) Coffee cup, Bow C.1765   (Right) Bowl, Coffee cup & saucer Worcester C.1770

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