Ritas Bazaar has dated these Georgian Creamware Bird Plates to the Georgian era.
Both are decorated in brownish-black overglaze transfer with the Liverpool Birds pattern. Exotic birds stand in imaginary landscapes at the centres, while six smaller bird scenes fill the lobes of each rim. The transfer decoration is exceptionally well preserved, with strong, clear impressions to the central scenes and rim vignettes. The pattern is associated with the Liverpool engravers Sadler & Green, who were pioneers of high-quality overglaze transfer printing on porcelain and creamware.
Liverpool's civic emblem is the mythical Liver bird, a hybrid of an eagle, cormorant and heron, shown on the city's arms. Sadler & Green's engraved bird scenes gave the pattern its enduring name, Liverpool Birds, also encountered as Liver Birds.
Plate 1 bears an impressed uppercase letter R, a factory production mark. Leeds Pottery was one of the leading creamware manufacturers of 18th-century England and an important rival to Wedgwood. Its finely moulded, durable wares were valued for their clean ivory colour; early Leeds creamware was commonly left unmarked.
Dimensions: Plate 1 — Weight 359 g; Diameter 23.9 cm; Height 2.5 cm. Plate 2 — Weight 348 g; Diameter 24.5 cm; Height 2.3 cm.
Condition: UV examination confirms that there is no restoration or repainting. Plate 1 is in excellent antique condition, with one small chip to the rim and no cracks. Plate 2 has one small rim chip and two hairline cracks.
Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Shipping costs include handling, packaging and postage.
Ritas Bazaar has dated these Georgian Creamware Bird Plates to the Georgian era.
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Georgian Leeds Pottery Liverpool Birds Creamware Plates, C.1770–1780
