Bidspirit auction | UPW / Union Porcelain Works

UPW / Union Porcelain Works (Brooklyn, NY) Patented Oyster Plate with Trompe L'oeil Painted Fly - UPW / Union Porcelain Works (Brooklyn, NY) Patented Oyster Plate with Trompe L'oeil Painted Fly Glossy white porcelain, minimal gilt highlights around thumbrest and on the scallop shell, extensive black-enamel tracing and naturalistic polychrome-enamel highlights contrasting with a pink ground elsewhere; factory-ground flat footrim with green-ink ”U.P.W.” stamp above an eagle head and ”PAT. JAN. 4. 1881”, yellow-ink stamp reading ”UNION / PORCELAIN / WORKS / GREENPOINT / N.Y.” in a rounded rectangle, incised ”X” into the glaze on underside. Unusual whimsical addition of a black-enamel and gilt insect attacking one of the oyster wells. Late 19th century. Dimensions: 8 3/4” x 6 5/8” overall. Condition: Undamaged with minor wear to decoration. Provenance: The Stradling Study Collection. Purchased from Robert A. Ellison, Jr. (New York), 11/23/1980. Catalogue Note: It is a miracle the plate was not smashed by a Victorian hostess or dinner guest when they presumably attempted to swat away the fly near the rim. The patent date refers to US design patent no. 12,105, which was taken out by UPW proprietor Thomas C. Smith. His patent is for the plate's ornamental design which consists of ”truthfully-modeled seaweed, oyster-shells, shell-fish, and sea-shells placed upon the internal side of half a clamshell”. Auctioneer's Note: We are thrilled to bring the Stradling Study Collection to market in partnership with Connor Rush of SFR Antiques, whose help and scholarship enabled the completion of this session's catalogue. A bibliography for the sale can be found here: ( https://bit.ly/3RYodeh ). For questions about lots 1 through 111 in this sale, or for help accessing the bibliography, please reach out to connor@nyeandcompany.com. Condition: Condition reports are not provided in catalog descriptions. The absence of a condition report does not guarantee that the lot is in good condition or free from damage and wear. We encourage you to request a condition report and/or additional photos prior to bidding on any lot. We also recommend asking for a shipping quote before bidding. CASH, CASHIER CHECK, MONEY ORDER, AND WIRE TRANSFER ARE THE ONLY METHODS OF PAYMENT ACCEPTED FOR JEWELRY.