Located in Downingtown, PA
Bristol Radiance: A Whimsical Sponged Manganese Star Dish
English, Circa 1745
This charming and highly whimsical Bristol Delftware (tin-glazed earthenware) shallow dish dates to the mid-18th century, circa 1740 to 1750. The piece exemplifies the lively "folk art" quality for which English Delftware is renowned, offering a bold departure from formal porcelain designs. The decoration is dominated by a large, radiating star motif rendered in bright orange and green freehand strokes. At the center of the star lies a small, stylized Chinoiserie fence—a simplified abstraction of East Asian design elements popular at the time. The design is energized by highly textural sponged manganese accents, which fire to a distinctive purplish-brown, and stylized floral bursts around the rim. This spontaneous application gives the plate a sense of movement and volume characteristic of the Bristol...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Faience Dinner Plates