A dessert service decorated c.1810 by the influential porcelain painter William Billingsley (1758-1828) leads Historical & Collectable’s sale in Padworth, near Reading, on November 18.
The floral specimen set was made during Billingsley’s short stint at Flight Barr & Barr’s porcelain factory at Worcester, where he became instrumental in refining the pottery’s porcelain recipe. The set comprises two tureens and covers, each painted on both sides, a pair of oval dishes and 24 plates, each painted with a different floral panel. It is estimated at £8000-12,000.