Four Green Shell Edge Creamware Plates with American Great Seal

Staffordshire, England, early 19th century, each centering a hand-painted image of America's eagle and shield seal, the larger two decorated with star field, one the impressed D to the underside, others unmarked save collectors accession numbers.

9 1/8 in. diameter of largest

Private Collection of a Gentleman, Virginia

Made for the American market by Staffordshire potters circa 1810. Typical examples are executed in four or five underglaze colors. Intended for the middle and lower classes, these patriotic dishes were not merely decorative but also much used on the table. Eagle-decorated plates are sometimes found in archaeological excavations, further confirming their intended use as functional tableware.

Literature: Robert R. Hunter Jr. and George L. Miller, “English Shell-Edged Earthenware,” The Magazine Antiques 145 (March 1994): 432–43 and Robert Hunter and George L. Miller “Suitable For Framing: Decorated Shell-Edge Earthenware” in Early American Life Volume XL No. 4 August 2009 pp. 8 - 19.

Parallels the Armans - Anglo-American Ceramics, Part I, Transfer Printed Creamware and Pearlware for the American Market, 1760-1860, p. 235, fig. AI.34.

Some scattered light scratches; largest with some crazing and a few small glaze flakes to rim edge; second smallest with some edge wear to cavetto and small glaze flake to rim edge.