
Description
Aquatic Elegance: Victorian Fish Plates by Wood & Hulme
Object: Set of Six Earthenware Dessert Plates (Fish Service)
Maker: Wood & Hulme, Garfield Pottery (Burslem)
Date: Circa 1884 (Registered Design No. 8844)
Medium: Earthenware, Transfer-Printed and Hand-Colored
Dimensions: 7 1/4 inches diameter (18.42 cm diameter).
This charming set of six earthenware plates represents a popular trend in late Victorian dining: specialized dinnerware services dedicated to specific courses. Each plate features a central printed design of a fish amidst swirling seaweed, captured with fine detail. The border is particularly striking, composed of six bright blue panels decorated with flowering branches and roses that visually spill into the center. Between these panels are stylized flower heads, all executed in a rich, multi-colored palette.
Historical Context: The Rise of Victorian Specialization
Produced at the Garfield Pottery in Burslem by Wood & Hulme, these plates showcase the industrial prowess of the Staffordshire Potteries in the late 19th century. The plates bear the Registration Number 8844 for the year 1884, which protected the pattern's design, indicating its commercial appeal and novelty.
The decoration"”a combination of detailed naturalism for the fish and lush floral elements (including the ubiquitous Victorian rose)"”appealed directly to the middle- and upper-class markets. These consumers sought to display refinement through elaborate table settings, requiring dedicated plates for courses like game, oysters, and, in this case, fish. The design's rich colors and busy ornamentation are hallmarks of the period's aesthetic maximalism, providing a vibrant contrast to the often somber Victorian interior.
Potential References
Godden, Geoffrey A. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of British Pottery and Porcelain (for factory marks and dating).
Copeland, Robert. Spode's Willow Pattern and Other Designs After the Chinese (for context on transferware).
Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review (Victorian trade periodicals often documented registered design numbers).
(Ref: ny5729-crr)
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: EXCELLENT
Dimensions:
Height: 7.25 in.
Width: 7.25 in.
Depth: 0.5 in.
Category: Decorative Plates
Materials: Earthenware, Pottery
Shipping:Domestic: Flat-rate of $19.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S. International: No International Shipping for this auction. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding. Location: This item ships from Downingtown, PA
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Object: Set of Six Earthenware Dessert Plates (Fish Service)
Maker: Wood & Hulme, Garfield Pottery (Burslem)
Date: Circa 1884 (Registered Design No. 8844)
Medium: Earthenware, Transfer-Printed and Hand-Colored
Dimensions: 7 1/4 inches diameter (18.42 cm diameter).
This charming set of six earthenware plates represents a popular trend in late Victorian dining: specialized dinnerware services dedicated to specific courses. Each plate features a central printed design of a fish amidst swirling seaweed, captured with fine detail. The border is particularly striking, composed of six bright blue panels decorated with flowering branches and roses that visually spill into the center. Between these panels are stylized flower heads, all executed in a rich, multi-colored palette.
Historical Context: The Rise of Victorian Specialization
Produced at the Garfield Pottery in Burslem by Wood & Hulme, these plates showcase the industrial prowess of the Staffordshire Potteries in the late 19th century. The plates bear the Registration Number 8844 for the year 1884, which protected the pattern's design, indicating its commercial appeal and novelty.
The decoration"”a combination of detailed naturalism for the fish and lush floral elements (including the ubiquitous Victorian rose)"”appealed directly to the middle- and upper-class markets. These consumers sought to display refinement through elaborate table settings, requiring dedicated plates for courses like game, oysters, and, in this case, fish. The design's rich colors and busy ornamentation are hallmarks of the period's aesthetic maximalism, providing a vibrant contrast to the often somber Victorian interior.
Potential References
Godden, Geoffrey A. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of British Pottery and Porcelain (for factory marks and dating).
Copeland, Robert. Spode's Willow Pattern and Other Designs After the Chinese (for context on transferware).
Pottery Gazette and Glass Trade Review (Victorian trade periodicals often documented registered design numbers).
(Ref: ny5729-crr)
Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: EXCELLENT
Dimensions:
Height: 7.25 in.
Width: 7.25 in.
Depth: 0.5 in.
Category: Decorative Plates
Materials: Earthenware, Pottery
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Condition
Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; EXCELLENT
Buyer's Premium
20%
Garfield Pottery Earthenware Plates by Wood & Hulme - Set of Six
Estimate $430-$1,280
Starting Price
$220
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