John Carr & Sons - Dinner service (24) - "Gem" - Ceramic - For 6 people

Elegant supper service for 6 people, English, produced by John Carr & Sons at the Low Lights Pottery in North Shields, Northumberland, in the second half of the nineteenth century. The service, consisting of 24 pieces, belongs to the “Gem” model, as evidenced by the distinctive mark on the back of the pieces.

Made in English earthenware, the service is decorated with the refined technique of transferware printing, one of the most representative decorative techniques of English ceramics in the Victorian era.

The decoration, carried out in a delicate sage green/green-blue tone, presents in the centers of the plates evocative landscape scenes with oriental inspiration, featuring pavilions and exotic architectures, trees, waterways, boats, and small groups of figures. The Orientalist repertoire, highly appreciated in English ceramic production of the nineteenth century, gives the service a particularly elegant and refined character.

Framing the central scenes is a very rich ornamental floral and vegetal band, composed of a dense pattern of small interlaced elements, interspersed with large stylized floral compositions arranged symmetrically. An inner geometric border completes the decoration and creates a clear separation between the central landscape and the rim.

The set is complete for 6 people and counts 24 pieces:
6 flat plates
6 soup plates
6 appetizer or dessert plates
3 oval trays of different sizes
2 salad bowls of different sizes
1 cloche

Of particular interest is the original mark “GEM / CARR & SONS,” accompanied by the heraldic emblem with crown and lions, which allows the service to be precisely traced to the John Carr & Sons manufactory. The Gem designation identifies the decorative model.

John Carr & Sons was an important North Shields manufacturer, active at the Low Lights Pottery and particularly known for the production of decorated earthenware, many of which were destined for international markets. The designation John Carr & Sons is attested from 1861, allowing this service to be placed in the second half of the nineteenth century.

A collection of notable antique charm, interesting for completeness, the quality of the transferware decoration, the Orientalist repertoire, and the presence of the maker’s mark, ideal for collectors of nineteenth-century English ceramics or for a historically characterful and refined table setting.

Good overall condition, some pieces show the characteristic yellowing of English earthenware. The cloche has a small internal chip highlighted in the photographs. The photographs reflect the actual condition of the set and illuminate any defects. Please view them all carefully before placing bids.

The set is over 150 years old.