A Very Rare First Period Worcester Punch Pot and Cover with ‘Tally-Ho’ Inscription, Circa 1770

A Very Rare First Period Worcester Punch Pot and Cover with ‘Tally-Ho’ Inscription of globular shape and loop handle. Inscribed beneath the spout on a puce bordered banner are the words ‘TALLY-HO’. A running fox is painted above. The body and domed cover are painted in the Japanese Imari-style featuring decorated fans in blue, green, and red with gilded patterns, as well as blue enamelled roundels with gilt decoration. The finial and rim of the cover, as well as the spout are enhanced with gilt.

Marks
Imitation Chinese mark in underglaze blue

Further Details
This punch pot was used to serve an alcoholic beverage after a fox hunt. The Imari pattern was probably first copied in Europe at Chantilly around 1735-1740. As Aileen Dawson explains, ‘At Worcester the pattern was probably known as ‘Old Japan Pattern’ from 1769’.