ABOUT THIS PIECE
An exceptionally decorative and scarce pair of early English soup plates made by Charles Meigh of Hanley, Staffordshire, circa 1835–1849.
The plates are decorated in Meigh’s recorded “Chinese Landscape” pattern, an elaborate blue-and-white transfer-printed design combining an imagined Eastern landscape with the romantic classical imagery so admired during the late Georgian and early Victorian periods.
At the centre is a wonderfully detailed landscape featuring distant classical buildings, an ornamental urn overflowing with flowers and extravagant rococo scrollwork. The scene is surrounded by a particularly rich border of flower-filled urns, stylised foliage, scallop motifs and decorative architectural elements.
Their deeply scalloped form is finished with a highly distinctive moulded white edge, giving the plates an unusually sculptural quality. This elaborate shape, together with the richly detailed transfer print, makes them particularly striking examples of early Staffordshire tableware.
Both plates carry the original underglaze-blue floral cartouche reading “Chinese Landscape” on the reverse. This pattern is recorded as the work of Charles Meigh of Hanley and dates to the comparatively narrow period between approximately 1835 and 1849.
Charles Meigh was one of the most respected and inventive Staffordshire manufacturers of the 19th century. Today he is especially admired by collectors for his highly detailed moulded ceramics and ambitious decorative designs.
Finding one surviving example of this early pattern is unusual; finding a matching pair of generously sized soup plates is considerably more difficult. At approaching 200 years old, they are important survivors from the great period of English transferware production.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Maker: Charles Meigh
Pattern: Chinese Landscape
Origin: Hanley, Staffordshire, England
Date: Circa 1835–1849
Quantity: Pair — two soup plates
Material: Glazed stone china or earthenware
Decoration: Underglaze cobalt-blue transfer print
Mark: Printed “Chinese Landscape” floral cartouche
Diameter: Approximately 25 cm / 10 inches
Depth: Approximately 4.5 cm / 1.75 inches
DETAILS & CONDITION
The plates are in very good decorative antique condition for examples approaching 200 years old.
Both plates have small chips or nibbles confined to the underside foot rims. These losses are beneath the plates and cannot be seen when they are viewed or displayed from the front. They have been photographed clearly for complete transparency.
There is general light surface wear, fine crazing, scattered speckling, small glaze and firing irregularities and natural variation within the early transfer decoration, all entirely consistent with their age and method of manufacture.
No cracks or restoration have been identified.
The fronts display beautifully, retaining wonderfully clear cobalt-blue decoration and an exceptionally attractive softly aged appearance.
Please study all the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
A scarce and highly decorative pair for a serious collection of early Staffordshire pottery, Georgian and Victorian ceramics or antique blue-and-white transferware. They would also look magnificent displayed together on a dresser, mantelpiece or curated plate wall.
DELIVERY
Your order will be carefully packed and dispatched within 48 hours.
International delivery is available to selected destinations. Please message me through Etsy or email [polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk](mailto:polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk) to request a delivery price for worldwide destinations not shown, or for combined and bulk orders.
Import duties, taxes and customs charges are the responsibility of the buyer, except for orders to the USA where Etsy’s DDP system applies and the relevant charges are included in the US retail price.
Many genuine antiques more than 100 years old may qualify for reduced or zero import duty in certain countries.
RETURNS
Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery. The buyer is responsible for return postage when an item is returned due to a change of mind.
The item must be returned in the same condition in which it was received. If it is returned damaged, incomplete or altered, any loss in value may be deducted from the refund.
SOURCED BY POLLY
Every antique and vintage piece is individually sourced by me for its character, decorative appeal and connection to the past.
These are genuine old pieces with histories of their own. Their marks, wear and imperfections are part of what makes them unique—and when they’re gone, they’re gone.
COME ANTIQUING WITH ME
Follow my real-life treasure-hunting adventures through French brocantes, flea markets, country houses and antiques fairs on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@frenchgeneraltrading
An exceptionally decorative and scarce pair of early English soup plates made by Charles Meigh of Hanley, Staffordshire, circa 1835–1849.
The plates are decorated in Meigh’s recorded “Chinese Landscape” pattern, an elaborate blue-and-white transfer-printed design combining an imagined Eastern landscape with the romantic classical imagery so admired during the late Georgian and early Victorian periods.
At the centre is a wonderfully detailed landscape featuring distant classical buildings, an ornamental urn overflowing with flowers and extravagant rococo scrollwork. The scene is surrounded by a particularly rich border of flower-filled urns, stylised foliage, scallop motifs and decorative architectural elements.
Their deeply scalloped form is finished with a highly distinctive moulded white edge, giving the plates an unusually sculptural quality. This elaborate shape, together with the richly detailed transfer print, makes them particularly striking examples of early Staffordshire tableware.
Both plates carry the original underglaze-blue floral cartouche reading “Chinese Landscape” on the reverse. This pattern is recorded as the work of Charles Meigh of Hanley and dates to the comparatively narrow period between approximately 1835 and 1849.
Charles Meigh was one of the most respected and inventive Staffordshire manufacturers of the 19th century. Today he is especially admired by collectors for his highly detailed moulded ceramics and ambitious decorative designs.
Finding one surviving example of this early pattern is unusual; finding a matching pair of generously sized soup plates is considerably more difficult. At approaching 200 years old, they are important survivors from the great period of English transferware production.
THE QUICK DETAILS
Maker: Charles Meigh
Pattern: Chinese Landscape
Origin: Hanley, Staffordshire, England
Date: Circa 1835–1849
Quantity: Pair — two soup plates
Material: Glazed stone china or earthenware
Decoration: Underglaze cobalt-blue transfer print
Mark: Printed “Chinese Landscape” floral cartouche
Diameter: Approximately 25 cm / 10 inches
Depth: Approximately 4.5 cm / 1.75 inches
DETAILS & CONDITION
The plates are in very good decorative antique condition for examples approaching 200 years old.
Both plates have small chips or nibbles confined to the underside foot rims. These losses are beneath the plates and cannot be seen when they are viewed or displayed from the front. They have been photographed clearly for complete transparency.
There is general light surface wear, fine crazing, scattered speckling, small glaze and firing irregularities and natural variation within the early transfer decoration, all entirely consistent with their age and method of manufacture.
No cracks or restoration have been identified.
The fronts display beautifully, retaining wonderfully clear cobalt-blue decoration and an exceptionally attractive softly aged appearance.
Please study all the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
A scarce and highly decorative pair for a serious collection of early Staffordshire pottery, Georgian and Victorian ceramics or antique blue-and-white transferware. They would also look magnificent displayed together on a dresser, mantelpiece or curated plate wall.
DELIVERY
Your order will be carefully packed and dispatched within 48 hours.
International delivery is available to selected destinations. Please message me through Etsy or email [polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk](mailto:polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk) to request a delivery price for worldwide destinations not shown, or for combined and bulk orders.
Import duties, taxes and customs charges are the responsibility of the buyer, except for orders to the USA where Etsy’s DDP system applies and the relevant charges are included in the US retail price.
Many genuine antiques more than 100 years old may qualify for reduced or zero import duty in certain countries.
RETURNS
Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery. The buyer is responsible for return postage when an item is returned due to a change of mind.
The item must be returned in the same condition in which it was received. If it is returned damaged, incomplete or altered, any loss in value may be deducted from the refund.
SOURCED BY POLLY
Every antique and vintage piece is individually sourced by me for its character, decorative appeal and connection to the past.
These are genuine old pieces with histories of their own. Their marks, wear and imperfections are part of what makes them unique—and when they’re gone, they’re gone.
COME ANTIQUING WITH ME
Follow my real-life treasure-hunting adventures through French brocantes, flea markets, country houses and antiques fairs on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@frenchgeneraltrading