Audobon Flamingo Plate by William Adams Co. Tunstall, England
This gorgeous earthenware plate features an original drawing of an American Flamingo by John James Audubon for his epic books "The Birds of America." The plate was made by the firm of William Adams in Tunstall, England and dates from 1896 to 1914, according to the maker's mark.
The decorations were produced on copper plates and hand applied as a gray and black transfer on the white earthenware. They were then hand painted and given a high-gloss glaze. The red-orange color of the bird is typical for the American flamingo; it dominates the center scene against a seashore background with other flamingos in the distance. The lip of the plate has tropical palm leaves, flowers and palm fruit (berries).
The plate measures 10 1/4 inches in diameter and 1 inch high. It weighs 1 1/2 pounds and is in excellent condition...no cracks, no chips, no crazing, no issues. The colors are vibrant and unfaded and the hand painting is so well done.
The printed marks on the reverse contain a wealth of information. The Adams company mark includes “ESTBd 1657” based on their relationship to John Adams, who opened a pottery that year in Staffordshire. The company was absorbed by the Wedgwood Group in 1966 and ceased operations in 1992. Items made by Adams after 1966 have "Part of the Wedgwood Group" in their backstamps.
One of these plates is in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. It is, however, a later copy made circa 1950, since the Adams mark includes on it includes "& Sons."
This is such a dramatic plate, a focal point wherever it's displayed.
© PrimpingYourHome.com
PYH 5593
This superb pair of matching silverplate candlesticks was made in Birmingham, England. Bearing the makers' mark of the highly sought after silversmith George Richmond Collis & Company (1835-1888), they date from the years 1873 to 1888; after that year, the company was dissolved. Collis exhibited many silver items which were greatly admired at the London Great Exhibition of 1851. We have included a copy of one of their advertisements.
Despite being made in the late Victorian era, these candlesticks are Georgian in style, having lovely, simple lines with gadrooning on the base, on the two nodes on the shafts and on the removable bobèches, the candle cups that catch drips and drops of wax for easy cleaning.
The impressed hallmarks are located on the rim of the base and consist of Collis & Co inside a quatrefoil, followed by a series of four letters and ending with "A1." British silversmiths used this letter code for their plated wares. The best quality was "A1" or "AI," which denoted superior quality, with 32 grams of silver used per dozen pieces, whereas the lowest grade of "D" only used six grams of silver per dozen.
Each candlestick stands 10 1/4 inches tall with the bobèches in place, has a 5 inch diameter base and each weighs 1 3/4 pounds. The bottoms are covered in old green felt. The pair are in amazingly good condition (and we're not even that good at polishing!). There is small dent in one of the bottom rims and a couple of tiny nicks which do not reveal the base metal, but there are no monograms, no monogram removals, and no repairs. The candlesticks look wonderful and make a beautiful and practical display.
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PYH 3836