19th Century Bloor Derby Circular Inkwell with 6 Pen Rests. Decorated with floral and gilt features. Three holes in the lid for pens, with three additional spaces around the edge for storage. Unmarked. 

Condition: Hairlines on interior. Rubbing. 

Size: 6 x 5 1/2 x 2 3/4 in. 

The production of Derby porcelain dates back to the second half of the 18th Century, though its exact origins and authorship remain matters of conjecture. Historical records show that high-quality porcelain was made in Derby in the early 1750s, predating the famous Nottingham Road factory established in 1756 by William Duesbury, Andrew Planchè, and John Heath. This exceptional early quality is evidenced by Duesbury himself, who initially worked as a London enameler and paid premium prices for blank Derby pieces over those from rival factories in Bow and Chelsea. The local industry achieved wider public recognition in December 1756 when an auction advertisement boldly promoted the Derby Porcelain Manufactory as a “second Dresden.” While the potter Andrew Planchè is often cited as a founding pioneer of the craft, some historians argue that the Cockpit Hill Potworks, operating since at least 1708, is a more probable source of the early pieces. Throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries, the Derby factory sustained prestigious manufacturing standards, employing celebrated porcelain artists like William Billingsley and Quaker Pegg before eventually evolving into the Royal Crown Derby brand.

Hairlines on interior. Rubbing. 

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.