Creamware Liverpool Birds Plates from Leeds Pottery of Hunsle, 1770s, Set of 2

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Description

An uncommon Georgian group of English creamware by Leeds Pottery of Hunslet, Yorkshire, dating from circa 1770–1780. The group includes … Read more An uncommon Georgian group of English creamware by Leeds Pottery of Hunslet, Yorkshire, dating from circa 1770–1780. The group includes two plates, both moulded in the elegant Queen's shape with a six-lobed, double-relief border.

Their warm ivory bodies are decorated in brownish-black overglaze transfer with Liverpool Birds: exotic birds within imaginative landscapes to the centres, surrounded by six bird vignettes on the rims. The transfer prints are exceptionally well preserved, with strong, clear impressions to the central scenes and rim vignettes. The prints are linked with the Liverpool engravers Sadler & Green, pioneers of high-quality transfer printing on porcelain and creamware. The pattern name also evokes Liverpool's Liver bird, the mythical eagle, cormorant and heron hybrid shown on the city's arms.

An impressed uppercase R appears on the underside of Plate 1 as a factory production mark. Leeds Pottery was a major 18th-century maker of refined English creamware and an important rival to Wedgwood; pieces from this early period were often left without a factory mark.

Dimensions: Plate 1 — Weight 359 g; Diameter 23.9 cm; Height 2.5 cm. Plate 2 — Weight 348 g; Diameter 24.5 cm; Height 2.3 cm.

Condition: UV examination confirms that there is no restoration or repainting. Plate 1 is in excellent antique condition, with one small chip to the rim and no cracks. Plate 2 has one small rim chip and two hairline cracks. See less