Dish
Dateca. 1805
Attributed to
Leeds Pottery
MediumLead-glazed cream-colored earthenware (creamware)
DimensionsOH: 1 1/2 in.; Diameter: 16 in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund
Object number2019-107
DescriptionDish: large round lead-glazed cream-colored earthenware dish, press-molded with feather-edge rim pattern picked out in silver luster; decorated with silver luster resist including a cell or fish roe and trellis pattern at the rim, foliated leaves at the cavetto, and a central scene of two exotic birds or stylized peafowl flying amidst a stylized landscape with a fence, leafy vines, and two overarching trees.Label TextWith the discovery and addition of platinum to the periodic table of elements, controlled silver luster decoration became one of the great innovations of the 18th century pottery and porcelain industries. Although it was implemented in the early 18th century by the German Meissen Porcelain Manufactory and then by the French Sevres Porcelain Factory, luster decoration did not take hold in England until around 1805.
This Leeds Pottery dish illustrates England's early implementation and mastery of silver luster resist decoration in which the design was drawn or stenciled on the glazed and fired object, then a size or resist was applied to the decorated area. Next, the object was painted with the luster, created by dissolving platinum in an acid mixture. The luster did not adhere to the resist, however; and when the object was fired for the second time, the acid dissipated, leaving the silver luster decoration. This large feather-edged creamware dish is a rare survival for its size alone, but the addition of the silver luster resist decoration makes it an important addition to Colonial Williamsburg's collection of British ceramics as it serves as a stunning example of a technological innovation perfected by potters in England.
ProvenancePurchased from Robert R. Hunter Jr. (2019)
Skinner Auctions, Inc., Sale 3296B (European Furniture and Decorative Arts), Lot 433 (October 12, 2019).
ca. 1811
ca. 1810
ca. 1810
ca. 1810
ca. 1750
1736-1737
ca. 1790
ca. 1750
ca. 1765
ca. 1765
ca. 1800
1770-1775