Pink Porcelain 'Nautilus' Dessert Service By Wedgwood For John Mortlock

Antique Victorian shell shaped dishes and plates.

Dating from 1884 this service would have been a bespoke order commissioned through John Mortlock’s upmarket Oxford Street store. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Mortlock’s was the most important china retailer in London. During this time they wielded a huge amount of power over many manufacturers, including Coalport, Minton and in this case Wedgwood.

I don’t think this service could be more elegant if it tried, with a silvered central monogram and pink lustre glaze on fine porcelain. Whoever commissioned these had oodles of taste. Just picture the dining table laden with sweets and desserts.

All the shapes are conchological and are based on real shells. The shapes were originally designed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1790s and there were early pearlware examples dating from the early 19th century, (Robin Reilly, Wedgwood Vol. II, Page 25 Fig 13 and 14. 1).

The service we are offering includes the following:

10 x ‘Pecten Japonicum’ scalloped-shaped dessert plates (10” x 9”).

2 x ‘T Tellina Radiata’ mussel-shaped serving bowls (11” x 7”).

2 x ‘R Pholas Eastatus’ ribbed mollusc-shaped serving dishes (11”x7”).

1 x ‘X Tellina Rosea’ serving bowl (12” x 8”).

3 x Small clam-shaped nut bowls (5”x5”).

(18 pieces in total)

They are in very good vintage condition throughout, we can’t find any cracks or chips and there is certainly nothing seriously wrong. There is some natural rubbing to the glaze from use as you would expect for their age.