Two octagonal Pearlware Plates, possibly John Harrison, Staffordshire, last quarter of the 18th century

These octagonal plates are printed in blue with a detailed chinoiserie landscape design based on a version of the Conversation pattern, in which two men can be seen facing one another before a temple. A third figure crosses a bridge to an island on the left, and there is a boatman navigating the river in the foreground. The plates have an inner cell border surrounding the main scene, and a Fitzhugh border of scrolls, flowers and moths decorating the flat, outer edges. The pearl glaze has gathered in wonderful blue pools on the underside of the flat, rimless base.

Perhaps since the nineteenth century, it was thought that wares marked with an I.H. were those of Joshua Heath, working in Hanley, Staffordshire. Heath was one of the earliest producers of blue-printed wares, nearly all of which were based on Chinese designs. However, there is a profound possibility that these plates were made by John Harrison, a Stoke-on-Trent potter who had shared a brief partnership with Josiah Wedgwood, c.1752-3.

Stylistically, the pattern is similar to that of many of the blue and white designs seen on Worcester porcelain of the 1770 and 1780s, whilst the octagonal shape and rimless base of the plates is typical of Staffordshire earthenwares of the 1750s and 1760s. These elements combined suggest a probable production date of the last quarter of the eighteenth century.

Evidence of the kiln supports used during firing can be seen on both sides of the plates: three single spur marks arranged eveny around the outer border, and three sets of marks, each showing three spurs, on the underside. The lead glaze used in pearlware of this period is typically prone to crazing.

Both plates are marked on the base with the impressed initials I.H and the number 2, probably referring to the size.

Condition: Excellent - no chips, cracks or restoration. There are a couple of tiny glazed potting impressions to the edges of both plates, which occurred during manufacture. The glaze around the delicate edges is almost entirely intact, with only a few small flakes in total.

Dimensions: Diameter 9 1/2" (24.1cm)

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