Pair of 18th C. Bristol Delftware Chinoiserie Plates
English tin glazed pottery plates possibly manufactured in Bristol by Thomas Cantle, c. 1750.
Similarly decorated plates have been attributed to Wincanton manufacture.
Dimensions: Each approximately 8¾” diameter.
Decoration:
The front is covered with powdered manganese giving a purple color.
There is a central panel decorated in blue of a Chinese figure standing in a landscape, holding a stick or fishing.
Rim is decorated with four similar panels or cartouches and four stylistic flowers.
The reverse of each plate is undecorated and bears various labels.
The body color is buff.
An example of a similarly decorated plate in the Victoria and Albert Museum collections has been identified as having been manufactured by Thomas Cantle at Temple Back Pottery in 1754 (https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O8067/plate-cantle-thomas/).
The purple color was achieved by blowing powdered manganese through a straw before firing. Areas were blocked out for later decoration.
Condition: There are glaze fleabites and frits typical of antique tin-glazed earthenware. Otherwise in excellent condition consistent with age and usage.