On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Sugar Bowl and Cover

ca. 1755 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
The sugar box would probably have contained small lumps of refined white sugar, which would have been served with sugar tongs. Britain's sugar came from sugar-cane plantations in the West Indies. In 1784 a French visitor to Britain noted that 'Sugar, even unrefined sugar ... is necessary [for tea] and very dear'. Sugar was also widely taken with coffee, as it counteracted the bitter taste. Surviving documents from the Bow porcelain factory mention 'sugar dishes with covers.'

Design & Designing
Both the octagonal shape and the painted decoration were inspired by a type of Japanese porcelain that is known as 'Kakiemon' today. The bulk of Kakiemon ware that found its way to Britain was made before about 1700. It was highly prized here, where it was often described as 'Old Japan'. The Bow factory papers include several references to 'Japan octagon' wares. The Chelsea factory also made octagonal sugar boxes: a sale of 1755 included 'a sugar bason octagon red pannel pattern'.

Materials & Making
The Bow factory made a type of porcelain that was strengthened with bone ash, making it suitable for utilitarian tea- and table wares. The factory was large, employing about 300 people around 1760 and calling in receipts of £11,555 in 1755.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Sugar Bowl
  • Cover
Materials and techniques
Soft-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded
Brief description
Sugar bowl and cover of soft-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded, Bow Porcelain Factory, Bow, ca. 1755.
Physical description
Sugar bowl and cover of soft-paste porcelain painted with enamels and gilded. Painted in Japanese Imari style with flowers and emblems in panels. Foliated scrollwork.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.2cm
  • Diameter: 10.8cm
Dimensions checked: Registered Description; 01/01/1998 by KN
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
Cane sugar was first imported to Britain from the West Indies during the 17th century and was used to sweeten the strongly flavoured teas from China.
Credit line
Given by E. F. Broderip, Esq.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Object Type
The sugar box would probably have contained small lumps of refined white sugar, which would have been served with sugar tongs. Britain's sugar came from sugar-cane plantations in the West Indies. In 1784 a French visitor to Britain noted that 'Sugar, even unrefined sugar ... is necessary [for tea] and very dear'. Sugar was also widely taken with coffee, as it counteracted the bitter taste. Surviving documents from the Bow porcelain factory mention 'sugar dishes with covers.'

Design & Designing
Both the octagonal shape and the painted decoration were inspired by a type of Japanese porcelain that is known as 'Kakiemon' today. The bulk of Kakiemon ware that found its way to Britain was made before about 1700. It was highly prized here, where it was often described as 'Old Japan'. The Bow factory papers include several references to 'Japan octagon' wares. The Chelsea factory also made octagonal sugar boxes: a sale of 1755 included 'a sugar bason octagon red pannel pattern'.

Materials & Making
The Bow factory made a type of porcelain that was strengthened with bone ash, making it suitable for utilitarian tea- and table wares. The factory was large, employing about 300 people around 1760 and calling in receipts of £11,555 in 1755.
Collection
Accession number
C.990&A-1924

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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