Italian Castle of Lavenza Blue Transferware Plate
Part of the Italian Scenery Series by Enoch Wood & Sons of Burslem, this 10 inch dark blue Staffordshire plate was made between 1818 and 1846. The scene is the Castle of Lavenza (Castruccio Tower) in Carrara, Tuscany, taken from a drawing by Elizabeth Frances Batty (1791-1875). Enoch Wood used Miss Batty's drawings of Italian scenes done in 1817 on more than 35 of his earthenware pieces that were heavily exported to America.
This beautiful plate has a lightly scalloped rim, with a foliage border that frames the scene of a man, woman and child standing on the bank of the Carrione River that flows in front of Castle Lavenza. Two transfers were used: a lighter blue one in the center and the darker one of the border, creating the illusion that the castle is in the distance.
The reverse side of the plate has a slightly blue tint and is printed with a large blue mark that reads: "ITALIAN SCENERY CASTLE OF LAVENZA." The plate is in superb condition, with no chips, no cracks, no staining and virtually no wear. There are some bits of sand caught in the clay both front and back. The clear glaze on the underside is crazed, but the front of the plate is not. The plate weighs not quite one pound. This early 19th century historical blue plate displays handsomely, a lovely find for the new or established collector.
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PYH 5415 A