Pair of Grainger Worcester reticulated menu holders

Grainger Worcester - c.1870-89
 
Grainger Worcester’s reticulated wares, although not as famous as those by Royal Worcester’s George Owen, deserve to be recognised for their expert skill and innovative design. The delicate piercing, most often executed on a cream body accented in gold, is closely associated with the aesthetic movement of the 1870s and 80s. Grainger however showed a group of their reticulated wares at the 1851 Great Exhibition and based their initial designs on the reticulation of Chamberlain Worcester from the previous decade, thus showing the technique has a deeper history than we sometimes imagine.

These menu holders are inspired by tracery decorations found on religious buildings and palaces in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, most likely of Mughal origin. The aesthetic movement gleaned inspiration from all over the near, middle and far East, often blending styles together in a uniquely European way. The pierced wares at the Grainger factory were overseen by Alfred Barry who designed some of the moulds for the shapes himself.

The shape is a confection of eastern and western shapes including more classical European. 

Condition - Excellent