Bow Porcelain

London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd, 1926. Hardbound. G (Binding has faded but gilt letters are clear; interior is clean.). Red embossed cloth with gilt letters on spine & front cover, top edge gilt (TEG). xviii, 165 pp. 64 plates, 8 in colour & 56 half-tone. "In the following pages the author attempts to look at the history, manufacture, and decoration of Old Bow Porcelain from an altogether new point of view. He has tried to break away from preconceived ideas, often unconsciously followed, accepted without examination, and stereotyped by successive writers on the subject. He has attempted to show the action and reaction, the percussion and repercussion, of the two great London porcelain factories, Bow and Chelsea, on each other and on their prosperity and productions; on their respective bodies and glazes and decoration. Attention is drawn to the fact that the prosperity and importance, the ability and success, of the one waxed and waned in proportion to the decline and resurgence of the other. This phenomenon explains much that is otherwise difficult to understand in the history of both factories. He has endeavoured, it is hoped not without a measure of success, to shed new light on the origin of the Bow factory; to demonstrate the importance and extent of its artistic manufactures, till recently so much underrated; to trace the sources of their inspiration. If in doing this last he must hurt the natural pride of English collectors by showing the overwhelming influence of the Saxon modellers on English Ceramic Art of the eighteenth century, he is sorry; but his conception of the duty of the searcher and enquirer into exact knowledge is Truth, whether agreeable or otherwise." (preface) So there! Includes extensive annotations on the 64 plates, done separately from the plates themselves. A nice copy of a classic work.