The bat printing process was introduced in England at the end of the 18th century, and was so called after the glue slabs used for printing instead of traditional paper. The process was quite complicated and thus only in use for about 30 years, making bat-printed pieces such as this pair of Barr, Flight & Barr porcelain teacups and saucers rather rare. The pair’s black bat-printed transfer designs, comprised of tiny dots upon close inspection, show vignettes of bucolic, idealized country life. These scenes on pure white porcelain are enhanced by simple and delicate gilded bands.