Plate

Dateca. 1760

Maker William Delamain

Maker Samuel Wilkinson

Maker World's End Pottery

OriginIreland, Dublin

MediumEarthenware, tin-glazed (delftware)

DimensionsOverall: 8 1/2in. (21.6cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2011-111

DescriptionOctagonal, tin-glazed earthenware (delftware) plate decorated on point in blue with the central "feathers in a vase" pattern. The rim of the plate is approximately 1 1/4 inches wide and bears a narrow (1/4 in.) trellis diaper band at the edge. Also on the rim are two alternating repeats of two different flower sprays, one of which includes a butterfly or moth. The cavetto is decorated with a band of alternating cross-hatched and squiggly line segments. There are no marks to the underside of the plate. The foot rim is ground off.
Label TextOctagonal, tin-glazed earthenware (delftware) plate decorated on point in blue with the central "feathers in a vase" pattern. The rim of the plate is approximately 1 1/4 inches wide and bears a narrow (1/4 in.) trellis diaper band at the edge. Also on the rim are two alternating repeats of two different flower sprays, one of which includes a butterfly or moth. The cavetto is decorated with a band of alternating cross-hatched and squiggly line segments. There are no marks to the underside of the plate. The foot rim is ground off.

The plate descended in the Galt family of Williamsburg and was sold to Merry Outlaw at the Nelson-Galt House Sale: Estate of Mary Ware Galt Kirby, Saturday, September 30, 1978. Although Merry Outlaw no longer has the bill of sale, the 1977 inventory and appraisement of the Mary Ware Galt Kirby estate lists several objects that may refer to this plate. No. 228 is a "Stoneware Oriental decoration soup plate." No. 300 describes "Two Oriental design plates." And No. 301 is an "Oriental design soup bowl."

While many British 17th and 18th century ceramic manufactories copied Chinese designs, the delftware made at the World's End Pottery under the direction of the Delamains is particularly noted for its decoration that closely copies contemporary Chinese porcelain motifs.
ProvenancePurchased by Merry Outlaw at the Nelson-Galt House Sale: Estate of Mary Ware Galt Kirby, Saturday, September 30, 1978. Although Merry Outlaw no longer has the bill of sale, the inventory and appraisement of the Mary Ware Galt Kirby estate lists several objects that may refer to the plate. No. 228 is a "Stoneware Oriental decoration soup plate" valued at $18.00. No. 300 describes "Two Oriental design plates $5" (each). And No. 301 is an "Oriental design soup bowl" also appraised at $5.00.

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