Lot of Three 1860's Staffordshire Colorful Proverb Dishes One By J&G Meakin
Description: A lot of three circa 1860 transfer ware or transferware small dishes with a polychrome painted central transfer scene. These earthenware proverb dishes are decorated with a colorful central scene surrounded by a proverb. One dish has people piling hay on a wagon with the proverb "Make hay while the sun shines-Franklin's Proverbs". The second dish shows men working with a person overlooking and has the proverb "Not to oversee workmen is to leave your purse open". The third dish depicts two men working in a garden with the proverb "There are no gains without pains then help hands for I have no lands". All three dishes have a red line along the edge and raised floral designs on the rim. Only one of the dishes is marked with an impressed mark. All three dishes measure ~5 3/8" in diameter. Three nice antique dishes to add to your collection. Please carefully review the photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: ca. 1860.
Origin: Staffordshire England.
Size: All three dishes are ~5 3/8" in diameter and together they weigh about 13.3 ounces.
Maker: The dish with hay making was made by J&G Meakin of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire England. The other two are not marked, but were most likely made in the same region.
Marks: Impressed on the bottom of the hay making dish is the &G Meakin maker's mark on the bottom. The other two dishes are unmarked.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: Very nice old transferware proverb dishes with a nice sayings, having bold and fresh colors, and in great condition after being around for over 160 years. They would make a great addition to your collection of transferware pottery or proverbs plate collection. Condition: The dishes are in very good condition with no cracks, hairlines, discoloration, chips, or repairs. The dishes have signs of crazing to the glaze. They do have some staining along the foot on the back. The dishes also have some losses of color and losses in the lettering, which can be seen in the photos. They also have some of the usual manufacturing defects one expects to see in old English transferware like this one, including mismatched transfer, unglazed areas, pops, slubs, and areas where the transfer did not cover entirely. These dishes have a minimum number of such defects and are truly good specimens. Please see photos to appreciate the beauty and condition of this piece.
