This rare set comprises 33 pieces and was made in the years following the original 116-piece dessert service shown by Minton at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Described at the time as 'the highest state of English ceramic manufacture'. Queen Victoria had been so struck by the appearance of the original "turquoise" service when she attended the preview of the Great Exhibition that she purchased it. After the close of the Exhibition she presented it to the Emperor ... Read More

This rare set comprises 33 pieces and was made in the years following the original 116-piece dessert service shown by Minton at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Described at the time as 'the highest state of English ceramic manufacture'. Queen Victoria had been so struck by the appearance of the original "turquoise" service when she attended the preview of the Great Exhibition that she purchased it. After the close of the Exhibition she presented it to the Emperor

of Austria. It can now be seen in the Hofsilber -und Tafelkammer at the Hofburg in Vienna. The pattern was immediately named for it's first patron and intricate open-work design, hence the name "Victoria Pierced"

The combination of glazed and decorated bone china with unglazed Parian figures was praised by the Great Exhibition jury for its 'original design, high degree of beauty and harmony of effect'
The parian figures on this set are the work of the designer and figure-modeller, Pierre-Emile Jeannest (1813-1857) who was the son of a French bronzier and pupil of Delaroche. He worked for Minton for several years between about 1848 and 1854, before & whilst also working for Elkington. The painting was probably executed by Thomas Kirkby who was a leading Minton painter and designer who spent over 50 years with the factory or by Joseph Bancroft.
The original sets remain within the collection Hofsilber-und Tafelkammer at the Hofburg in Vienna with another set commissioned by Queen Victoria. Pieces are also held within the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum

Amongst other pieces, a Comport and a Cream Tureen were illustrated in the Art Journal Catalogue of the Exhibition in 1851.

Perhaps the most iconic of the pieces are the pair of cream tureens, The Cream Tureens From the Original Set were illustrated at the time; an example is held within the collection of the V&A and Joan Jones chose it as the cover-piece of her 1992 book on the work of Minton. Each Cream tureen in this set bears a gilded monogram.

The retailers stamp of "155 New Bond Street" that appears on several pieces, alludes to the fact that this set was likely commissioned and supplied through W P & G Phillips renowned London retailers of china and glass were established c1760

Comprising 33 pieces
A Pair of basket centrepieces, 12 inches (30.5cm) high
A Pair of "cream tureens" and covers, 11 inches (28cm) high A Pair of large comports 8 inches (20cm) high
A suite of four comports 6 inches (15.2cm) high
A low footed dish
22 dessert plates 9 1/2 inches (24cm) diameter