First Period Worcester refers specifically to the factory's earliest production era, roughly 1751 to 1783, before later ownership changes and stylistic shifts reshaped the business, and this bowl carries the transfer-printed dragon design typical of that window. The Chinoiserie dragon is worked entirely in underglaze blue, transfer printed rather than hand painted, with real clarity to the linework despite the age of the piece.
The base carries an underglaze mark, uncommon enough to potentially represent a workman's individual mark rather than a standard factory stamp, alongside a cursive "W" in blue and a "C5" mark in purple. Small firing pits are visible near the edge on the front, evidence of the imperfect kiln conditions early Worcester production sometimes worked with, and traces of a gilt edge remain along the perimeter. The dragon pattern itself is one rarely encountered, worth knowing for anyone specifically collecting Worcester's early Chinoiserie designs.
Condition notes
Good antique condition. Some grey speckles and few firing pockmarks to the glaze; wear to the gilt rim; two chips to the foot of the plate.
