Delftware Plate, probably Lambeth, c.1765

This delftware plate was probably manufactured in the London borough of Lambeth, perhaps at the factory of Abigail Griffith, in the mid-1760s. Made of clay fired to a whitish colour in the biscuit kiln, delftware was then glazed with a mixture consisting of a lead base and tin oxide. The decoration was painted directly onto this wet tin glaze, making it impossible to correct mistakes. The body appears a pinkish buff colour beneath the lumpy, greenish-blue tin glaze.

The painter has attempted to imitate Chinese porcelain, with a scene of an exotic bird in a tree, surrounded by flying insects, stylized rocks and flowers. The latter two devices are repeated three times on the outer edge of the plate. A similar design appears on Liverpool delft and forms were often simplified as the painter had to work quickly on the wet glaze. The colours blue, red, green, and yellow were created through the use of cobalt, iron oxide, copper, and antimony respectively, and then fired at high temperatures. The stilt marks can clearly be seen on the reverse, showing how such wares were raised in the kiln during the firing process.

Several delft potteries were situated in the London Borough of Lambeth; most notably one at Howard House, Church Street, and another at Fore Street.

Condition: Excellent - there are several flakes to the extreme edge of the plate and the rich tin glaze has pronounced crazing, this last feature being typical of much of Lambeth delftware from this period. It is almost impossible to find undamaged delft, owing to the fragility of tin glazed earthenware, however this plate has survived exceptionally well. No major chips or restoration.

Dimensions: Diameter 9" (23cm)

Delftware: The Tin-glazed Earthenware of the British Isles, Michael Archer (V&A/HMSO, 1997).