English Regency Porcelain Slop Bowl c.18201840 Hand Painted Birds Pink 17cm

An attractive English Regency hand-painted porcelain slop bowl, c.1820-1840, decorated in the prevailing Regency taste with gilt scrolling foliage, perched blue passerine birds and stylised pink tulip-like floral motifs, the foot with a pink ground band and gilt rim.

The slop bowl - sometimes called a waste bowl - was an essential piece of any complete English tea service from the late 18th century through to the late Victorian period. Its function was to receive the dregs and used tea leaves emptied from cups between pourings, in an era before tea bags or strainers were universal. Slop bowls were made by every English porcelain factory of the period (Spode, Coalport, Davenport, H&R Daniel, Ridgway, Hilditch, Minton and others) and are typically of bell-shape on a flared foot, decorated to match the rest of the service.

This bowl is hand-painted on both the exterior and interior with the same pattern of gilt scrolling acanthus, small blue camaieu birds perched among the foliage, and stylised pink flame-like flower motifs. The lower body and foot are painted with a band of pink wash, and the rim and foot rim are gilded. The painting style is characteristic of the 1820-1840 period and is consistent with several Staffordshire factories of the time; the piece is unmarked, as was normal for tea ware at this period.

Measuring approximately 17cm in diameter. Honestly disclosed: there is a single hairline crack visible to the side of the bowl - common in tea ware of this age. Display condition is otherwise very good.

A pretty orphan piece from a long-since-broken-up Regency tea service, priced to reflect the hairline. UK tracked delivery; collection from Nottingham welcome.