A rare octagonal Bristol delftware Plate, circa 1730-35
This rare octagonal delftware plate is painted in blue with a winged putto holding a floral spray and surrounded by flowers. This scene is contained within a double blue line circle and a border of Baroque scrollwork and trellis. The strap across the boy’s chest suggests he is wearing a quiver, an attribute of Cupid. The classical god of desire and affection, Cupid is often depicted surrounded by flowers. The use of dots and lines to indicate shading, suggest the design is based on a woodcut engraving.
The same border and use of hatched blue leaf decoration and dots occurs on a dated 1738 plate at the Victoria and Albert Museum, attributed to Bristol or London (V&A C.96-1927). Also, there are thematic and stylistic similarities with a Bristol octagonal plate painted in blue with Ceres holding a cornucopia of flowers and a flower spray, c.1730-35 (V&A C.31-1955).
Condition: There are a few minor chips to the rim, and typical losses and wear to the tin glaze. There is a scratch or utensil mark to the glaze at the centre of the plate. This is hidden by the decoration. No other damage and no restoration. Potting, glazing and firing flaws include pinholes to the glaze. Small spur or stilt marks can be seen on the reverse, indicating how such wares were stacked and fired in the kiln.
Dimensions: Diameter 22.3 cm
Delftware: The Tin-glazed Earthenware of the British Isles, Michael Archer (V&A/HMSO, 1997).
English Delftware, F.H. Garner and Michael Archer (Faber & Faber, 1972).