The Plate

A refined example of early Victorian Staffordshire transferware, this shallow plate features a scrolling paisley and fern leaf border surrounding a delicate central floral reserve in iron-brown and cobalt blue. Produced in England circa 1835–1845, the design reflects the transitional period between late Georgian neoclassicism and the emerging Victorian fascination with exotic, textile-inspired motifs.

This plate exemplifies the aesthetic and technical brilliance of the English potteries during the mid-19th century—where advances in transfer-print technology allowed intricate textile-like decoration on earthenware ceramics for the growing middle class.

Design & Decoration

→ Pattern & Motif: The border features a repeating paisley scroll intertwined with fern-like foliage, hand-finished in sepia over a pale cream ground. This pattern drew inspiration from the paisley shawls imported from India and Persia, which were immensely fashionable in Regency and early Victorian Britain.

→ Central Reserve: The interior design retains traces of cobalt blue floral sprays beneath the glaze—delicately colored, now softly faded with age, lending the piece its ethereal patina.

→ Technique: The design was applied using transfer-printing, a copperplate engraving process perfected in Staffordshire around 1800. Pigments were transferred from engraved plates to the ceramic body via tissue, producing complex repeatable decoration at a fraction of the time required for hand-painting.

→ Form: The plate’s shallow bowl form with a slight cavetto rim indicates early Victorian dining use—likely part of a larger dinner or dessert service.

Dimensions

Diameter: 9¼"
Height: 1¼"
(Measurements within ¼ inch)

History & Provenance

By the 1830s, Staffordshire potteries such as Thomas Dimmock & Co., Enoch Wood, and Davenport were exporting richly printed wares to both Europe and America. Paisley-inspired patterns became particularly popular during this decade, merging textile and ceramic design into one harmonious decorative language.

The surviving glaze, printing clarity, and use of both brown and blue pigments align with Staffordshire’s multi-color transfer period (1830–1850)—a short but celebrated phase before full polychrome production became widespread.

Condition

In very good antique condition with expected age-related wear. The glaze shows mild crazing, and remnants of blue overprint remain partially visible. Minor discoloration to the rim adds to its authenticity and antique charm. No visible cracks or structural damage.

Value & Collectibility

→ Decorative Market (Interior Design Value): $125 – $185
→ Collector Market (Antique Ceramics Value): $85 – $120

The plate’s aesthetic appeal—particularly its softly worn glaze, symmetrical paisley border, and tonal restraint—makes it ideal for display in heritage interiors, cottage settings, or English revival decor. Designers often use such early transferware as wall-hung collections or tableau accents paired with antique linens and wood tones.

Product Details

Why It’s Special

This plate represents a perfect harmony between industrial innovation and romantic ornament—an embodiment of early Victorian design sensibility. The paisley scrolls, borrowed from textile fashion, and the hand-tinted cobalt florals tell a story of global influence and English artistry. Today, it stands as a beautifully aged object, bridging utility and art—ideal for collectors and decorators alike.