Pair of English Wedgwood Creamware Plates

• England, circa 1825
• Dimensions: 9 3/4 inches in diameter

Creamware is earthenware pottery made from a combination of white clay and calcined flint. It is marked by a distinct cream color, almost like light butter, and was first produced in England around 1740. Creamware is also linked to countries such as France, Italy, and the Netherlands. Foremost of the pioneers of creamware in the Staffordshire potteries was Thomas Whiedon who created a wide variety of creamware pieces. The young, Josiah Wedgwood was in partnership with Thomas Whiedon from 1754-1759. Wedgwood left to form and set up his own business. As a result of this, he immediately experimented to find a substitute for Chinese porcelain and directed his efforts to developing and improving creamware. many of the Staffordshire potters learned from Whiedon and Wedgwood and developed their own creamware product.

One of the attributes that is appealing to creamware is that it is lightweight and clean, ,making it ideal to be used domestically. It also serves decorative purposes well when using the hand-painting and transfer printing methods.

Our pair of 19th century English Creamware Plates are quite charming in design. Set on a white background, they are decorated with peonies, prunus, and rocks which resonate throughout the design. Creamware emulated Chinese porcelain and our pair of plates definitely have an Oriental feeling to them. There is a glaze star on the back of one plate.