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: Good

Materials & Techniques:
Earthenware, Pottery

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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good