Plate

The plate has a circular shape with a plain rim pinched at regular intervals. It is complete; a small chip is missing from the right edge. The rim is thick and slightly domed. The rim is concave and slightly inclined inwards, with a small bulge at its junction with the wall; the wall is curved and the bottom is flat. On the reverse, the plate rests on a double countersunk foot; the bottom is recessed and flat. There’s a mark on the reverse, below the wall: it’s printed in blue and consists of a vertical rectangular cartouche, lined with signs and enclosing a central horizontal cartouche lined with the letters SPODE. Below the large cartouche, in a register, are the words: Stone-China. There are linear markings on the inner base, as well as areas of amber glaze; the decoration is applied by transfer printed; it is blue in color and features a landscape motif with an insect. The printed decoration is visible on the inner rim, wall and base. The border of the marli is adorned with a band between two lines, composed of a row of aligned spirals. The decoration on the marli consists of two different motifs repeated in alternation, and mirrored on both halves of the plate’s diameter; they are separated by a three-section band running along the edge and supporting two partially overlapping lozenges. One of the motifs consists of an area delimited by a wavy line and filled with spirals, with a half-flower in reserve. This area supports a half-flower with leaves and a solid dark-blue trilobal motif, from which two dark-blue branches emerge. This area is bordered on one side by a sloping scroll and on the other by a butterfly with outstretched wings. Beyond the scroll is a solid leaf in pale blue, flanked by a flower, a leafy stem and stylized scrolls. Beyond the butterfly is a wavy form in dark blue, decorated with scrolls in reserve, from which emerge two branches with a flower. The decoration on the wall is a band supported by a fine line: it consists of pairs of spirals leaning against each other and repeated in a mirror-like fashion; triangular points emerge from their tops. The background decoration is surrounded by a ring that borders the wall band. It’s a landscape scene with flowering islands, fences and insects. The main island, in the foreground, is in pale blue; it is surmounted by two vertical elements, which appear to be stylized rocks; on their tops rests a bird in profile to the left. These elements are flanked by leafy, flowering branches, sometimes decorated with scrolls or stylized acanthus leaves. On one of the branches stands an insect, probably a cricket or grasshopper, seen in profile to the left. In the background is a pale blue islet, with two angled fence sections, a rock and a tree; the ground is partly covered with flowers. The rim of the plate is covered with a pale brown plaster. The decoration is clearly rendered. The junction of the border frieze is visible.