Dish

Dateca. 1715

Attributed to John Simpson

OriginEngland, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Burslem

MediumLead-glazed earthenware

DimensionsH: 2"; D(point to point): 13 7/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1957-135

DescriptionPress molded buff bodied octagonal decorated dish probably by John Simpson ("IS"). On back of dish are mallet marks from when clay was applied to mold. Front of dish decorated in high relief-flattened rim: pressed with border of raised circles. Central circular cartouche: contains high-relief five lobed stylized carnation with 2 lobes patterned in griddled stripes. Two relief "raspberry prunts" next to base of flower. Around cartouche: below-relief initials "IS" and part of a fleur-de-lis, one of 4 fleur-de-lis patterns alternating with 4 very high relief pomegranites. Between fleur-de-lis and fruit are 3-lobed filler ornaments. Inside of plate coated with cream-colored slip. On flattened rim, very dark-brown slip trailing of circles (at points) with triple loops in between. Dots pick out pressed pattern. Center relief filled in in 2 tones of brown slip in cloisonne technique. Yellow lead glaze on all slipped areas.
Label TextThis dish is one of a small series of relief-decorated press-molded octagonal dishes, all bearing somewhat similar symbols of life, fertility, and Christianity. The reserve shows the potter's finger marks, created while forcing the clay into the deep relief of the mold. Although some molds vary slightly, all of these dishes bear the relief initials "IS" and are attributed to the potter John Simpson of Burslem. These dishes are said to date to the first quarter of the eighteenth century.
InscribedNone
Markings"IS"
ProvenanceTilley & Co., London

Exhibition(s)