1830s English Pottery Child's Plate

This charming pottery child’s plate was made by the English pottery William Smith & Company in Stockton, Yorkshire, that was in operation from 1825 to 1855. William Smith was a great copier of Wedgwood and dubbed this off-white earthenware Queen's Ware; that name was actually invented by Josiah Wedgwood for his creamware. The 8 inch diameter plate, weighing 11 ounces, was made circa 1830. and is usually referred to as Pearlware.

The black transfer illustration depicts a mother reading to her daughter and son, seated holding an open book in both hands. The girl has a toy doll on her lap and the boy is holding a cricket bat. The inscription above reads "Die Dertelung" which means in German "The Explanation." The lower inscription and below is in German and (we think) reads "Was ein nafchen werden will, das trummt ich ben briten." According to Google translate, this means "What a child wants to become, that's what I dream about as a British person."

The lip has molded, raised flowers and baskets hand painted with red, green, blue and rusty-orange touches. It's surrounded by a scalloped rim. The underside has an impressed mark that reads: W. S. & CO's
QUEEN'S WARE
STOCKTON

With no chips, cracks or hairlines, this plate shows its age and use with some discoloration in the well and more on the underside. There is also a very fine network of crazing present. The transfer is in excellent condition and the plate displays so well, especially for one that was meant for children and is almost 200 years old.

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