This stunning piece is a highly collectible 3-piece English Regency era soup tureen set with its original matching underplate/tray and lid. Produced by the renowned Staffordshire pottery firm Hicks & Meigh circa 1815, this exquisite set features an elaborate blue and white Chinoiserie transferware pattern inspired by traditional Chinese export porcelain styles. The structural architecture of this set represents the pinnacle of Regency-era ceramic craftsmanship, utilizing complex, multi-part molds. The Lid (Cover): Features a highly sculptural, open-work flower-bud finial handle rising from an ornate, molded leaf-scroll acanthus base. It includes a built-in ladle notch at the rim. The Tureen Body: A robust, oval neo-classical form featuring elegant vertical ribbing. The body is flanked by two heavy, rustic branch-form handles that mimic organic gnarled twigs. The tureen stands proudly elevated on four distinctively molded, stylized bracket feet heavily accented with gold leaf. The Underplate (Stand): A wide, deep-welled oval platter featuring a gently scalloped rim and twin branch-form handles that mirror the tureen. The well is designed perfectly to lock the tureen’s feet into place safely. PRICED ACCORDINGLY AS A REPAIRED PIECE Condition Report (Important – Please Read) Condition: Antique / Pre-owned / Used. Given that this set is over 200 years old, it exhibits a beautiful patina and age-appropriate wear that showcases its history. Structure: Please review the photos carefully. Please note a visible through-crack running along the width of the lid. There is a small visible hairline crack on the inside of the tureen. The underplate has no visible cracks. There are areas of gilt loss in some areas consistent with the products historical age. There are Some small nicks or pinholes on under tray. Glaze & Finish: Features a deep cobalt blue transfer finish under a glossy clear glaze. The underplate/tureen/lid exhibit some historic glaze flaking and localized glaze loss along the raised structural ridge, accompanied by light, expected age-related under-glaze discoloration (tea-staining) as shown. The underlying ceramic body remains entirely solid and stable. Due to its age and historic glaze composition, it is not recommended for modern food service or microwave/dishwasher use. Please examine all high-resolution photos as they serve as the definitive extension of this physical condition description. Complete early 19th-century stoneware sets featuring the tureen body, lid, and matching under tray are exceptionally rare finds. This is an ideal investment-grade statement piece for traditional decor, Grandmillennial interiors, or serious pottery collectors.
