Fine Molded WHITE IRONSTONE Platter J Clementson 1855

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Strongly Detailed & Molded 15.5 Inch Bluish Tinted White Ironstone Platter by Joseph Clementson from 1855 WELCOME ITEM DETAILS: Whether you collect or simply admire the pure white molded ironstone that first appeared in the early 1850s, then you may want to bid on this fine platter since it follows the very popular Sydenham pattern genre. The platter listed was made by the Staffordshire firm of Joseph Clementson (Hanley) and registered in 1855 under the Columbia pattern name. T is an impressed mark on the back (see photo close-up) that has 'J CLEMENTSON','IRONSTONE CHINA' 'COLUMBIA SHAPE' stamped within an oval. From a quick glance, the Columbia shape looks much like Sydenham and this similarity was intentional. In fact, t are several other shapes that also intentionally mimic aspects of the popular Sydenham and their names include: Dallas, Mississippi, Baltic, Pearl Sydenham, Persia, Shape No. 5, and President Shape. Upon close examination, the President Shape even matches the Columbia shape although it has less relief and lower detail. The Sydenham shape was registered in 1853 by T. & R. Boote and the firm registered the name again in 1854 with minor changes to the shape (Wetbee 1985:51). Some collectors call Boote's 1851 Octagon Shape by the name Sydenham although the two patterns were registered under different pattern names. And it may be simply a coincidence that Joseph Clementson made ironstone wares at his pottery called the Sydenham Works in Hanley (Ibid). The platter listed is a fine example of the Columbia Shape and the molded design stands out well against the body. The glaze is tinted to intentionally look bluish gray in the fashion of the best opaque French porcelains of the 1840s. In fact, if the platter was broken, one would also see that the hard ironstone body was also tinted a bluish gray, too. The glaze on this platter is not crazed at all and so lacks the fine cracks and lines seen on the less expensive common white ironstone of the mid nineteenth century. Consequently, this platter was priced to be one of the more expensive nonporcelain ceramic wares of the period and examples would have graced the tables of the more refined middle and upper classes. In 1855, American ironstone manufacturers were not yet able to consistently produce high quality wares without crazing and it would be another 40 years before American potteries were a threat to British potteries in terms of quality. So if you are looking for a fine example of the kind of pattern molded plain white ironstone that flooded the American market after 1850, then you may want to try for this example while it is still available. SIZE: This oval platter is moderately large without being too big to display up right on a shelf or sitting flat table top. It measures 15 1/2 inches long by 12 1/4 inches wide and stands 1 1/4 inches tall. The platter has a flat footringless oval base that measures 10 1/2 by 7 1/4 inches. CONDITION: This platter is in excellent condition with just one small 1/4 inch rim nick that may have happened as kiln contact during production keeping it from being mint perfect. The rim chip does not impact the profile of the rim and so it is not readily visible when the platter is view straight on from the front or back (see all photos). T is a pencil pointing to the small rim nick in two of the photos. And beyond that, t is no other damage or production flaws and absolutely NO hairlines, NO cracks, NO major wear or deep scratches, NO stains, NO repairs and NO restorations. The face or front of the platter is bright and clean and does not have any major or easily visible utensil scratches. In fact, a better platter could only be found by traveling back in time and taking one out the kiln yourself as it cooled back in 1855. PLEASE KINDLY LOOK AT MY OTHER LISTINGS (some soon to be posted, too) for more 18th & 19th Century ITEMS of INTEREST - - Thanks . . . . TERMS OF SALE: BIN REQUIREMENTS: If you wish to use the BU... read more

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