1995 Breininger Glazed & Sgraffito Redware Plate Moravian Style Merry Christmas
Description: A large (~10 3/8" diameter) redware plate by The Breininger Pottery. The plate, which has a black background mimicking Moravian style pottery, has round flat base with slightly rounded flared sides. The sides terminate at a rolled or shaped rim. The exterior of the plate as well as the bottom are not glazed and display the typical coloring of unglazed redware pottery. The inside is glazed with a black colored background and a sgraffito design showing a stylized linear design with brown, green, and white coloring in the center. The stylized linear design is framed with a border along the edge of the plate consisting of semi-circles in brown with dashes inside them having either green or brown colors in an alternating fashion. There is also the word "Merry Christmas" within the border. A beautiful and very colorful design in the best Moravian style. This is a beautiful folk art plate to celebrate Christmas made in the studios of a master potter with the right heritage. The back of the plate is marked as to the maker and the date the piece was made. Please carefully review photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: November 20, 1995.
Origin: Robesonia, Berks County Pennsylvania.
Size: The plate is ~10 3/8" diameter and is ~1" high. The piece weighs slightly over 2 pounds.
Maker: Lester Breininger.
Marks: Marked "Breininger Pottery; Robesonia PA; November 20, 1995; A nice day" in hand calligraphy on the underside of the plate.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a very nice piece having typical Moravian or Pennsylvania Dutch design and colors made in the studio of a master potter with the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Needless to say, Mr. Breininger has passed away in December 2011 and pottery made in his studio has become highly desirable.
Condition: Plate is in very good condition with no repairs and no chips. Careful examination of the plate with a 10X loop did not identify signs of crazing to the glaze. However, due to the dark coloring of the piece we cannot categorically say that it does not have some crazing. Be that as it may, this is a beautiful plate, which would make a great addition to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
