Hi all,

Can anyone identify this gilded A&C 3-piece set?

The mark reads “F. Mc Mahon” on the bottom on the bowl.

The plate had a mark but is unreadable. It looks hand painted and has oranges and orange leaves for the decoration.

I assume it is a soup set but not sure. Any idea on value, too?

Thanks!
Scott

Hi Scotty and welcome to the forum,

Hand painted china or porcelain was popular during the Arts & Crafts Movement as both a cottage industry and or personal use. The inconsistency of the line weight gives me the impression that your set was done by a student who made this as a gift or for their own use. Not certain what it’s use was since the ladle makes for a very unsatisfying soup spoon. Perhaps it was to serve a fruit desert or preserve. (hence the decoration). No idea of value.

Best,

The rise of the popularity of china painting is credited to Mary Louise McLaughlin. She wrote a book about the process: China Painting-A Practical Manual in 1894, which became a best seller.

As Fred stated your item looks looks like a service piece, for preserves or mayonnaise or the like, done by a lady with china painting as her hobby. You should have it appraised locally by a dealer for an idea of it's value.

Lauren

i used to just pass by anything i thought was "home made", thinking it was less valuable than something produced by a known "maker".

lately i have become much more aware of and interested in bench made articles. these seem to capture the essence of the movement, not relying on manufactured items, but investing of an idividuals abilities. sure, they might be a bit crude, or have imperfections most of us might frown upon.

i think it also helps to make a place more homey, thinking about the person who made it sitting in a similar environment enjoying their handicraft.