Lot 91 , A London or Wincanton octagonal delftware pill slab, mid 18th century 30cm x 24cm

A London or Wincanton octagonal delftware pill slab, mid 18th century painted in blue with the arms of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, between unicorn supported and above the motto "OPIFERQUE. PER. ORBEM DICOR" in manganese, 30cm x 24cm
Estimate £2,000-3,000


Sold by Sotheby's New York in the Joseph Vizcarr Collection on 13th April 1984, Lot 412

A similar example, attributed to Wincanton, is illustrated in Louis Gautier, English Delft, fig 21.
Another, attributed to London, is in the Glaisher Collection (Cat. No. 1378) and is illustrated in Leslie G. Matthews "Apothecaries Pill Tiles, ECC transactions, Vol.7. Part 3, pl.173 (c).
This particular design is closely related to one used by the Society of Apothecaries between c.1746 and c.1817

The pill tile is not completely flat and has a slight convex curve to it from top to bottom, there is some glaze faults lower left where something has stuck to the glaze in the kiln, there are typical minor glaze losses around the edge and there is a very shallow old chip upper right which only slight comes into the tinglaze edge of the tile, the back of the tile has pencil inscriptions and some slight firing cracks in a band running across, this is not visible on the front. Basically in good condition for a piece of tinglaze pottery of this period.


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.

Sold for £8,500