Dated 1877 and bearing her monogram, the 20in (52.5cm) diameter piece is painted with an Arts & Crafts style border and a central scene showing children constructing a ball of cowslip flowers.
It is priced at £675 from Tom Parry of Chester’s Farm Antiques at The Pavilions of Harrogate Decorative Antiques & Fine Art Fair, which takes place at The Great Yorkshire Showground from October 29-31.
“When this charger was painted, Doulton faience was still in relative infancy, although experiments had been going on for a few years,” says Parry. “Earthenware blanks had been purchased first from Pinder, Bourne & Co in Burslem, Staffordshire, and then from 1877 from Doulton in the same town.”
Although the charger has no marks for either, a later copy of the design was used on Doulton faience ware. Parry adds it is “highly probable” the charger was painted for Doulton by Sparkes, possibly for exhibition.
The Harrogate fair, organised by Cooper Events, is the second antiques event of the year at The Pavilions following its reopening in June.
A late 18th century Italian carved pediment with foliate carving and silver-leaf decoration ticketed at £1450 from Elaine Phillips Antiques.
As in previous years, the event is well represented by dealers from Harrogate and the north of England, including Elaine Phillips Antiques run by Louise Phillips, currently chairman of The British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA).
She brings an unusual 19th century ladder-back armchair decorated with rural scenes priced at £650 and a late 18th century Italian carved pediment with foliate carving and silver-leaf decoration ticketed at £1450.
Also standing are John Newton Antiques, Walker Galleries, Sutcliffe Galleries, Rowles Fine Art and Paul Burnett Antiques & Interiors, alongside new exhibitors Curzon Hall Antiques, Renaissance Antiques, The Cedar Tree and HaresFur.
