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

Elegant dinner 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 attested by the distinctive mark on the back of the wares.

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

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

Framing the central scenes is a very rich floral and vegetal ornamental band, composed of a dense pattern of intertwined little 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 precise attribution of the service to the John Carr & Sons manufactory. The designation Gem identifies the decorative pattern.

John Carr & Sons was an important North Shields manufacturer, active at the Low Lights Pottery and particularly known for producing decorated earthenware, many destined for international markets. The name John Carr & Sons is documented from 1861, allowing us to place this service in the second half of the nineteenth century.

A set of notable antique charm, interesting for its completeness, the quality of the transferware decoration, the Orientalist repertoire, and the presence of the factory mark, ideal for collectors of nineteenth-century English ceramics or for a table with a historic and refined character.

General condition is good; some pieces of the set bear the characteristic yellowing of English earthenware. The cloche has a small internal chip highlighted in the photographs. The photos reflect the actual condition of the set and highlight any flaws. Please view them all carefully before making offers.

The set is over 150 years old.