Antique Adderley Spencer Edge Oxford China Dessert Set

Description:
This is a fabulous and rare Edwardian fifteen piece dessert service, decorated by "Spencer Edge" on Adderleys (Adderley) china with hand-painted views of Oxford landmarks, each signed and named verso.  The set consists nine dessert plates, two oval dishes, one square dish, a bowl, a large tazza or cake stand and a smaller tazza or cake stand.

The nine dessert plates are beautifully hand painted, on a grey ground, with scalloped edges having hand painted reed and ribbon decoration.  Each plate depicts scenes from Oxford, each individually signed "Spencer Edge", each named verso "St. Mary the Virgin, The Castle, Mansfield, Lady Margaret Hall, St. Martins Tower, Worcester (this plate signed verso), The Martyrs Memorial, All Souls and Balliol".

The two oval dishes, again have scalloped edges with hand painted reed and ribbon decoration, both signed, depicting views of the "High Street and The Barges".

The square dish has matching scalloped edges with hand painted reed and ribbon decoration, signed, depicting "The Sheldonian".

The small bowl is beautifully decorated to the outer surface with birch trees, the inner centre of the bowl depicting the spire of "The Cathedral".

The large tazza or cake stand stands on a circular base with hand painted reed and ribbon decoration, having a cream / grey ground, with a baluster form column in lemon yellow and grey, surmounted by the scalloped edge top with reed and ribbon decoration, the centre of which depicting "Shipton Manor".

The smaller tazza or cake stand is of matching form beautifully depicting the "Town Hall".

Each piece is stamped to the base "Adderleys England" and each individually stamped with design numbers.

Adderleys Ltd was founded in 1905 but was derived from Willena Alsager Adderley (1876-1905) and Hulse & Adderley (1865-1879). This company made tea services and porcelain figures.

A truly beautiful dessert set each piece hand painted by artist "Spencer Edge", the scenes wonderfully executed with fine detailing with fine perspective and colour.  The set is a rare find and highly collectable - a sure investment for the future.

Date:
The set dates circa 1910.

Condition:
The set is in remarkable condition for its 100 years.  A few of the plates have the most minor 'nibbles' or 'fleabites' to the edges, these almost unnoticable.  One plate has had some old minor restoration to the rim in a couple of places with one small area having been over painted.  The oval dishes are in good condition, again one having one minute nibble to the edge.  The tazzas, bowl and square plate all appear to be in fabulous condition for their age.  The set does have crazing to the glazing a few pieces having minor marks, all adding to character and authenticity,

Dimensions:
Plates
Diameter: 9 inches (22.8cm) - Height: 0.75 inches (1.9cm)
Oval Dishes 
Width: 10.5 inches (26.7cm) - Height: 1.25 inches (3.2cm)
Square Dish
8.34 inches square (21.3cm) - Height: 1.25 inches (3.2cm)
Bowl
Diameter: 5.35 inches (13.7cm) - Height: 1.75 inches (4.5cm)
Large Tazza
Diameter across the base: 4.75 inches (12cm) - Diameter across the top: 9.25 inches (23.2cm) - Height: 5 inches (12.7cm)
Small Tazza
Diameter across the base: 4.75 inches (12cm) - Diameter across the top: 9.25 inches (23.2cm) - Height: 2.75 inches (7cm)