Code: 11287
Early Staffordshire Childs Pearlware Name Plate
CHRISTENING GIFT for JOHN
Staffordshire England c 1830
This is an early child's transferware plate, circa 1830. It measures 7 3/8 inches in diameter.
The plate is transfer printed in black with an engraved decorative cartouche surrounding the name JOHN or IOHN / old English, in block letters in the center of the well, encircled with a three-color red green blue moulded floral border and scalloped rim, finished with pearlware glaze. The plate is beautifully potted with decorative flourish.
The piece is unmarked. It most certainly was made in the Staffordshire district. Plates like this were made as christening presents or gifts for good children and rewards of merit, used to aid in childrens education and moral training in the early to mid-19th century.
No chips, cracks, hairline or repairs. Roughness and wear to the outer rim. A bizarre pricking of the center well. We were told this was done by a child potter in their boredom or as malice. My belief is that something exploded in the kiln and sawdust shards pelted the plate. One of a kind for sure. An uncommon name scarcely found on christening wares of this period.
