AN UNUSUAL LONDON DELFTWARE BLUE AND WHITE SCALLOPED PLATE CIRCA 1750 |

probably William Griffith's factory, Lambeth High Street, painted in the center with a Chinoiserie figure and flowering plants within a fenced garden, the powdered blue ground within a lobed and barbed rim resist-decorated with flower sprays.

The Collection of Mr. John B. Schorsch and Mrs. Marjorie H. Schorsch, sold, Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, May 1, 1981, lot 53
Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, November 4, 2001
Vogel Collection no. 697

In good appearance and condition. Some minor glaze loss to the protruding parts of the rim. There is a fine network of glaze crazing cracks to the central scene.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An approximate date for this plate is provided by the example inscribed 'S/ I.M', the reverse with date 1748, illustrated by Louis L. Lipski and Michael Archer, Dated English Delftware, Tin-glazed Earthenware 1600-1800, London, 1984, p. 120, no. 524. A further plate is illustrated by Anthony Ray, English Delftware Pottery in the Robert Hall Warren Collection, London, 1968, pl. 79, no 155, where the author notes that fragments of this border type were found by Garner in Lambeth, and that other fragments correspond with the design. 

A plate in this pattern and rim decoration was sold, Sotheby's, New York, April 13, 1984, lot 419. Three further plates in the design, two of which have a scalloped rim are illustrated by Frank Britton, English Delftware in the Bristol Collection, London, 1982, p. 238, 15.5-15.7. Further plates attributed to William Griffith's factory are illustrated by Michael Archer, Delftware, The Tin-glazed Earthenware of the British Isles, London, 1997, pp. 145-147, B.62, B64, B65.