Prized Porcelain: James Giles and Worcester Porcelain

A Worcester Teacup and Saucer by the atelier of James Giles from the Saltram Service Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection

James Giles (1718-1780) was an outstanding English porcelain and glass painter who worked for all of the major porcelain manufacturers, including Worcester, Derby, Bow, and Chelsea.  Giles’ father, also James Giles, was a ‘China Painter’ by trade working and living in London. 

A Worcester cup and saucer with chrysanthemums from the Jame Giles atelier
Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection

Giles established a workshop in the Arts Museum in Cockspur Street opposite Haymarket.  His advertisements in Mortimer’s Universal Director of 1763 proclaims,

‘This ingenious Artist copies the Pattern of any China with the utmost exactness, both with respect to the Design and the Colours, either in European of Chinese taste… He has also brought the Enamel Colours to great perfection.’ 

A Worcester Cup and Saucer in Jade Green from the James Giles Atelier
Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection

Throughout his career, Giles received numerous important commissions from esteemed clients including Clive of India, the Duke of Northumberland, the Duke of Marlborough, Horace Walpole, and Princess Amelia, the second daughter of George II.

A Worcester cup and saucer with exotic birds
Mackinnon Fine Furniture Collection

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