VASE & COVER 1770-5 (cover & handles c.1890)
This is a particularly handsome example of a Bristol vase. The all-over cellular pattern imitating sharkskin forms a rich ground for the flower sprays and chinoiserie figures. Originally the vase had a cover but this had been lost by the time the vase was acquired by Francis Fry's son, Theodore. He sent the vase to the Sevres factory near Paris and had a new cover made and the rope-twist handles added at a cost of £9.
The painting on the the cover is more contrived and the quality of the porcelain is far superior to the earlier. experimental Bristol body.

PLYMOUTH AND BRISTOL HARD-PASTE PORCELAIN
The first true, or hard-paste, porcelain made in Britain was produced in Bristol around 1765 by William Cookworthv. This early venture failed because of the technical difficulty of firing the wares at the very high temperatures required (1200-1400°C). In 1768 Cookworthy began production in Plymouth but, two years later, returned to Bristol. He retired in 1773 and the factory was taken over by Richard Champion.
 

Large hexagonal vases were the most spectacular products of the Bristol hard-paste factory. They were made in sets of 2,3 or 5 to stand on a mantelpiece.