A DERBY PORCELAIN BOTANICAL PART DESSERT SERVICE CIRCA 1800

each piece finely painted with a named botanical specimen within a gilt harebell and leaf border on the rim, comprising: a lozenge-shaped fruit stand, three lozenge-shaped dishes, two scalloped lozenge-shaped dishes, two kidney-shaped dishes and eighteen plates, crowned crossed batons and script D marks and botanical inscriptions in blue, gold or grey, two lozenge-shaped dishes with pattern number 115 in blue. 26 pieces.

Some wear to gilding. The lozenge-shaped dishes with some occasional stacking wear to the enamels of the central decoration. One kidney-shaped dish has been broken in half and reglued. One scalloped dish with considerable speckling to the glaze, mostly on the underside but somewhat apparent on the front as well. The plates have some very minor occasional scratching to the enamels; one has a 2-in. haircrack to the rim; another has a 1/8-in. chip to the underside of the rim.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A similar service was sold in these rooms on April 11, 1997, lot 267, where the catalogue note discusses at length the dating of this service based on its design sources found in  William Curtis's The Botanical Magazine, James Sowerby's English Botany, Henry Andrews' Botanist's Repository and others.