An absolutely superb and very rare late 18th century pearlware relief moulded plaque depicting a well-dressed gentleman walking with a cane.
He wears a topcoat, breaches, waistcoat, and hat. The scene is bordered with a foliate design and surrounded with a black moulded frame.
This depiction in plaque form seems to have originated from the pottery of Ralph Wood in about 1785, although the colour of enamels in this particular plaque suggests it was made by another potter, possibly using Wood's mould. Myrna Schkolne records a Ralph Wood iteration depicting both this young man and a well dressed young woman walking ahead of him, although other versions which are presented as pairs (the woman on one, the man on the other - as in this case) are recorded too.
The plaque - or 'plaques' in the case of the pair - is referred to as 'Patricia and Her Lover' based on a plate from Frank Falkner's The Wood Family of Burslem. Patricia walks playfully ahead of the young man, he lustfully following behind. It is an enchanting depiction of flirtation and desire. Interestingly, when found as a pair, 'Patricia' is larger than her admirer, and Myrna Schkolne suggests that this is to create the visual effect that the man is following from a distance when the two plaques are hung together - and when you look at Falkner's plate showing the two plaques side by side this effect leaps out at you.
The source for these plaques is an 18th century engraving titled Jack on a Cruise, with the subtitle 'Avast there! Back your mainsail'. Instances of nautical terms of this nature being used to describe women's extravagant hats can be found in several shanties and broadsides of this period.
This astonishing and important work is in excellent condition with no apparent restoration. There has been some retouching of the black enamels at the top of the frame. There may be other professional retouching of the enamels and while I would not rule it out (out of abundance of caution), I cannot detect any. There is some wear to the black enamel of the decorative finial which is strung for hanging, though I would recommend that the buyer restring the plaque to ensure its security. There are some light scratches to the glaze commensurate with age.
A rare and precious item.
Reference: See F. Falkner, The Wood Family of Burslem, pl. XIX, illustrations 75 and 76
Height: 14.25” (to top of finial)
Width: 8”
Date: c. 1795
An absolutely superb and very rare late 18th century pearlware relief moulded plaque depicting a well-dressed gentleman walking with a cane.
He wears a topcoat, breaches, waistcoat, and hat. The scene is bordered with a foliate design and surrounded with a black moulded frame.
This depiction in plaque form seems to have originated from the pottery of Ralph Wood in about 1785, although the colour of enamels in this particular plaque suggests it was made by another potter, possibly using Wood's mould. Myrna Schkolne records a Ralph Wood iteration depicting both this young man and a well dressed young woman walking ahead of him, although other versions which are presented as pairs (the woman on one, the man on the other - as in this case) are recorded too.
The plaque - or 'plaques' in the case of the pair - is referred to as 'Patricia and Her Lover' based on a plate from Frank Falkner's The Wood Family of Burslem. Patricia walks playfully ahead of the young man, he lustfully following behind. It is an enchanting depiction of flirtation and desire. Interestingly, when found as a pair, 'Patricia' is larger than her admirer, and Myrna Schkolne suggests that this is to create the visual effect that the man is following from a distance when the two plaques are hung together - and when you look at Falkner's plate showing the two plaques side by side this effect leaps out at you.
The source for these plaques is an 18th century engraving titled Jack on a Cruise, with the subtitle 'Avast there! Back your mainsail'. Instances of nautical terms of this nature being used to describe women's extravagant hats can be found in several shanties and broadsides of this period.
This astonishing and important work is in excellent condition with no apparent restoration. There has been some retouching of the black enamels at the top of the frame. There may be other professional retouching of the enamels and while I would not rule it out (out of abundance of caution), I cannot detect any. There is some wear to the black enamel of the decorative finial which is strung for hanging, though I would recommend that the buyer restring the plaque to ensure its security. There are some light scratches to the glaze commensurate with age.
A rare and precious item.
Reference: See F. Falkner, The Wood Family of Burslem, pl. XIX, illustrations 75 and 76
Height: 14.25” (to top of finial)
Width: 8”
Date: c. 1795
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