1881 Antique j.f. Wileman Staffordshire "Swallow" Polychrome Transferware Oval Platter - 16.25"

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An exceptional and hard-to-find 16.25-inch oval serving platter in the highly desirable "Swallow" pattern, manufactured by J.F. Wileman at the … Read more An exceptional and hard-to-find 16.25-inch oval serving platter in the highly desirable "Swallow" pattern, manufactured by J.F. Wileman at the Foley Potteries in Fenton, Staffordshire, England.
Registered on April 23, 1881, this exquisite piece is a quintessential example of late Victorian Aesthetic Movement design, heavily influenced by the Japanesque style of the era. The face features a crisp, dark transfer design beautifully hand-painted under the glaze (polychrome) with rich tones of cobalt blue, variegated bamboo green, muted golden-yellow, and delicate pink cherry blossoms. The asymmetric composition captures a swallow in mid-flight alongside a detailed butterfly, framed by an elegant, geometric patterned border along the rim.
The reverse includes full documentation for collectors: a black circular printed mark reading "J.F. Wileman Foley Potteries Swallow", a faint impressed stamp reading "Wileman Fenton Staffordshire", and an embossed British patent registry diamond dating the design's inception precisely to April 1881. Wileman & Co. later evolved into the highly collectible Shelley potteries, making early earthenware pieces like this platter a foundational part of English ceramic history. I love the beautiful and simple swallow design. See less