Fig. 391.
A singular mark (Fig. [394]), communicated to me by Mr. Octavius Morgan, M.P., occurring on some small groups of figures belonging to Lady Mary Long, is an anchor, with cable, in red; on one side is an upright dagger, point upwards, in red; while on the other is a horizontal dagger, point outwards, in blue. This mark occurs on each piece. Another mark is the anchor with cable, and dagger sometimes on its right, and at others on its left side. It has been surmised that the cabled anchor and dagger, or sword, may be Bow; but there is no reason for supposing this to be the case, and I am inclined to believe they are really what I have named them—Chelsea. In reference to this remark I give the following marks, which are considered by Mrs. Palliser to belong to Bow; but of course there is no proof either way. Those collectors whose affections mainly centre in Chelsea ascribe pieces having these marks to that locality, while those whose loves direct them to the attractions of Bow, with equally as little hesitation pronounce them to belong to those works. It seems in fact to be, in the instance of these marks, that the collector has to act on the showman’s advice—he “pays his money” for the rare piece of china and “takes his choice” whether he appropriates it to Chelsea or to Bow! I am disposed to think the anchor really is, as has always been considered, the true Chelsea mark, and that most of the varieties belong to those works, but that it was also used by other manufacturers, either separately or in combination with other devices.
Figs. 392 to 395.
Figs. 396 to 402.
Fig. 403.
It would leave my notice of the marks of the Chelsea works incomplete, were I not to introduce the mark which was, for a time, used to denote the fusion of these works into those of Derby. When Mr. Duesbury purchased the Chelsea works, and carried on the two together, he added the letter D to the Chelsea anchor (Fig. [403]): and this is the mark which denotes what is known to collectors as “Chelsea Derby” or “Derby Chelsea” ware, and which, being of comparative rarity, is eagerly sought after.
