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

Elegant English 6-person dinner service, produced by John Carr & Sons at the Low Lights Pottery in North Shields, Northumberland, in the second half of the 19th century. The service, consisting of 24 pieces, belongs to the “Gem” pattern, as evidenced by the distinctive mark on the reverse of the wares.

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

The decoration, executed in a delicate sage green/blue-green tone, features on the centers of the plates evocative landscape scenes with Oriental-inspired elements, pavilions and exotic architectures, trees, watercourses, 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 richly ornamental floral and vegetal band, composed of a dense pattern of interwoven small 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 serving boards 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 Gem designation identifies the decorative pattern.

John Carr & Sons was a prominent North Shields manufacturer, active at the Low Lights Pottery and particularly known for producing decorated earthenware, many of which were destined for international markets. The designation John Carr & Sons is documented from 1861, placing this service in the second half of the 19th century.

An ensemble of considerable antique charm, interesting for its completeness, the quality of the transferware decoration, the Orientalist repertoire, and the presence of the brand, ideal for collectors of 19th-century English ceramics or for a table with a historic and refined character.

Good overall condition, some pieces of the set show the characteristic yellowing of English earthenware. The cloche has a small internal chip highlighted in the photographs. The photographs reflect the real conditions of the set and highlight any defects. Please view them all carefully before making offers.

The set is over 150 years old.