Miniature Platter and Two Plates, Clews, c.1820

These three thinly-potted pieces of creamware would have formed part of a child's toy dinner service. The decoration consists of a simple enamel border of a thick and thin orange line running around the outer edge.

Each piece bears the impressed mark 'CLEWS WARRANTED STAFFORDSHIRE' with a crown above, either side of which are the initials G.R. The platter is impressed with the number 3. These marks indicate a date of manufacture during the reign of George IV.

James and Ralph Clews began earthenware production in 1817, at works rented from William Adams. The following year they moved to the Cobridge Works, where they were based until finally becoming bankrupt in 1834-5. On bill-heads, Clews are described as 'Potters to Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress of all the Russians'.

One of the plates has a small glazed clay tear relating to manufacture.

Condition: Very Good - no chips, cracks or restoration. There is minor surface wear commensurate with use.

In addition to providing a comment on social history, each one of these fragile items represents a rare and wonderful survivor from the early Nineteenth-Century, particularly as they were intended to be played with by children.

Dimensions: Length of Platter 5 3/8" (13.6cm); Diameter of Plates 3" (7.6cm)

Geoffrey A. Godden, Encyclopedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks (Barrie & Jenkins, 2003).