An extremely rare early George III Exotic Bird Cream Piggin made in London in 1767 by Francis Spilsbury
An extremely rare early George III Exotic Bird Cream Piggin made in London in 1767 by Francis Spilsbury
375392
The Piggin stands on three very unusual feet pierced with stylised wheel motifs, below a corded band. The main body displays an unusual wavy gadrooned rim and the sides are divided into vertical panels pierced and engraved with trailing foliate scrolls and pretty flower heads. In addition, the sides display exotic birds at rest and in flight, a design which Spilsbury was famous for. The piercing has been executed to the highest standard and the front displays a shaped cartouche, engraved with a set of contemporary script initials. The Piggin also displays a beautiful shaped openwork handle engraved with trailing foliate motifs and flower heads. This piece has a blue glass liner, is in quite excellent crisp condition and is very well marked in the piercing.
Francis Spilsbury made some of the most beautiful pails during this early George III period, occasionally incorporating exotic birds and squirrels. To find a side handled Piggin from his workshops is most unusual though, as very few examples were made and they seldom turn up on the market today. Francis Spilsbury's first mark was entered on 24th November, 1767, therefore this represents an early example of his work. He had workshops in Noble Street, Cheapside, when this very fine piece was made.
Height to the rim: 3 inches, 7.5 cm.
Height, to the top of the handle: 4.5 inches, 11.25 cm.
Diameter at the base: 2.9 inches, 7.25 cm.
Weight: 4oz.
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