Plate

1780-1810

Measurements

1-1/4 in x 10-1/4 in (dia)

Materials

Glazed refined white earthenware (pearlware)

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation

Accession Number

2007.29

Inscription

An unidentified mark is impressed into the outside bottom.

Condition Notes

This plate survives in excellent condition.

Provenance

The label of “G. W. Thomas / Antiques / Middletown, Del.” and a price label of $12 remains on the outside bottom.  This plate was probably acquired by purchase.

Comments

This molded, blue-edged white plate is one of dozens of variations made from the 1780s to the mid-19th century.  It has a scalloped edge with deep blue coloring.  The glaze was blue-tinted to give the creamware body a cooler tone, more akin to expensive Chinese porcelains.  This so-called pearlware glaze is evident where it has pooled, such as in the impressed maker’s mark on the outside bottom—a mark that has not yet been identified.  Based on the scalloped shape of the plate rim and the blue edge with its sharply delineated gadrooning, this plate probably dates from the 1780s to the early 1800s.  Later examples included the very many blue and green feather-edged wares.