Salvador Dali (Spanish 1904-1989) for Royal Crown Derby §
'Pink Glove' Plate, circa 1938
£4,750
Auction: 23 October 2020 from 10:00 BST
Description
manufacturer's printed and impressed marks, Christies paper label
Dimensions
23cm diameter (9in diameter)
Footnote
Provenance:
Edward James Collection;
Christies, London, Edward James Collection, 2-6 June 1986;
John Jesse, London;
Private Collection, UK;
Literature:
Britain Magazine, 4 December 2009;
Ghislaine Wood (ed.), Surreal Things: Surrealism & Design, V&A, London, 2007, pp.282-3.
The unique 'Pink Glove' tea service was designed by Dali on a visit to London in 1936, having been commissioned by the poet, artist and collector of Surrealist works Edward James for his extraordinary Surrealist house Monkton. As noted by the V&A from previously unknown correspondance between James and the decorating firm Green and Abbott in 1938, the 'pink glove tea set' is mentioned alongside the 'Lobster' telephone, 'Mae West Lips' sofa and 'Torso' chest of drawers all known to have been conceived by Dali.
Edward James specially commissioned the set from Royal Crown Derby and it was sold in the Edward James Collection at Christies in 1986 where it was bought by the renowned dealer John Jesse. Jesse subsequently sold pieces to the Royal Crown Derby Museum and to the V&A in the sale of his collection at Sotheby's New Bond Street, London on 22 February 2006. This plate is one of only a couple of pieces from the set still known to be in private hands.