拍品专文
These dishes are from the dessert-service ordered in 1789 by Prince William (later William IV). Shortly before his return in June from the West Indies as captain of HMS Andromeda he had been created Earl of Munster and Duke of Clarence and St Andrews. The order was of key importance to the Flight brothers in their attempt to reverse the dwindling fortunes of the factory. Looking for alternative ways to recover lost custom, John Flight had already made several visits to France, purchasing Paris porcelain to be sold in the newly established retail shop in London, and it is interesting to note that the design of the borders owes much to the Sèvres factory, perhaps as a result of these visits. This was the first armorial service made at Worcester, and later in the same year, the Prince commissioned a new dinner service painted with allegorical figures in landscapes. Prince William was nominated a knight of the Thistle in April 1770 and a knight of the Garter in April 1782. See John Sandon, The Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain (1993), vol. 1, p. 114 and colour pl. 22 for a plate from the same service. A sauce-tureen sold in these Rooms on 9 October 1989, lot 78.