This plate, transfer printed in blue with the Chinoiserie Ruins pattern, was manufactured by the Staffordshire firm of Davenport in around 1810.

John Davenport established his firm at Longport in 1794, and production continued until 1887. Prior to this he had partnered Thomas Wolfe (Factory Z) at the Islington China works in Liverpool. Earthenware and creamware bodies formed the majority of wares produced by Davenport in the early years. Porcelain was first manufactured at Longport in around 1805.

The base bears the impressed lowercase curved 'Davenport' mark above an anchor.

Condition: Excellent - no chips, cracks or restoration. The creamy glaze has some areas of fine crazing. This is not untypical of early wares, and the piece remains a good example of transfer printed earthenware by an important potter.

Dimensions: Diameter 9 3/8" (23.8cm); Height 1 1/4" (3.1cm)

Davenport - China, Earthenware and Glass 1794-1887, Terence A. Lockett & Geoffrey A. Godden (Barrie & Jenkins, 1989)

John Davenport and his Wares, English Ceramic Circle Transactions, Volume 9, Part 1, 1973

The Dictionary of Blue & White Printed Pottery 1780-1880, Volume I, Coysh & Henrywood (Antique Collectors' Club, 2001).