Antique 19th Century Shell-Edged Pearlware Platter 18+” Staffordshire England

Beautiful antique platter from the early 1800s, perhaps earlier, from Staffordshire, England.  It features a scalloped edge with molded rim, green paint under the glaze, and an embossed “cord and herringbone” pattern.  (A fragment of this pattern was found in 1990 in a Baltimore, Maryland, brick-lined privy during the excavation of the remains of a saloon where Babe Ruth and his family lived and worked from 1906 to 1912, the site where the Baltimore Orioles Stadium would be built.  The fragment was dated to between 1829 and 1837.  Don’t you just love history?)  This type of pottery has been referred to as “shell-edged” due to the molded rim motif, and “pearlware” due to having a blue-tinged glaze produced by the use of cobalt which results in a slightly greyish appearance (see history below).  Our platter is large (18.75″ long x 15″ wide), deep (1 7/8″ tall), and heavy (5.6 lbs. before packing).  Marked only with an incised number 18; the majority of edged vessels of the period were unmarked.  The platter is in exceptional condition considering its 200 years of age, give or take.  No chips or cracks.  There are a few imperfections original to the firing process, discoloration (nothing major), and crazing, none of which affects appearance or function.  A truly special, heirloom piece.

HISTORY (from online sources).  Pearlware–along with creamware and whiteware–was developed in England in the 1700s by Staffordshire potters as a substitute for the Chinese porcelain that was in high demand by the growing middle classes of the period.  The line between these three types of pottery is fuzzy; generally, if a piece lacks Chinese-style decoration and has a bluish tint, it can be classified as “pearlware.”  The term “shell-edge” or simply “edged wares” was used by Staffordshire potters in the 18th century to describe these wares; 19th century price lists and invoices use the term “edged” to describe both “shell-edged” (molded) and embossed rim motifs.

SHIPPING: $25 flat rate shipping valid only for street addresses within contiguous United States; we cannot deliver to post office boxes.  For shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and elsewhere, please contact us with your location for a custom shipping quote.

A WORD ABOUT VINTAGE: Our inventory consists of vintage or antique items which are more than 20 years old, usually used or pre-owned, unless marked “new old stock.”  As such, there may be signs of wear and age, which we will disclose to the best of our ability.  Nevertheless, we encourage you to carefully read the description and view the photos, especially when purchasing a gift.  All items ship with tracking and insurance, and although we do not accept returns, we will offer a refund in case of breakage or damage during transit, upon receipt of sufficient proof. 

Thank you for shopping AlegriaCollection–and please visit the rest of my shop here: https://www.vintage-keepers.com/shops/alegriacollection/