Pair of Antique Charles Meigh Chinese Landscape Soup Plates, c.1835–1849
The Quick Details
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Maker: Attributed to Charles Meigh
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Pattern: Chinese Landscape
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Origin: Hanley, Staffordshire, England
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Date: Circa 1835–1849
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Quantity: Two matching soup plates
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Material: Glazed ceramic, described as stone china or earthenware
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Decoration: Blue-and-white transfer print with moulded detailing
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Mark: Underglaze-blue “Chinese Landscape” floral cartouche
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Dimensions: Approximately 25 cm diameter × 4.5 cm deep / 9.8 × 1.8 inches each
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Condition: Very good decorative antique condition, with small chips or nibbles beneath both foot rims. No cracks or restoration identified.
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Delivery: UK delivery included. Worldwide delivery available at an additional cost.
About This Piece
A richly decorative pair of antique English blue-and-white soup plates in the Chinese Landscape pattern, attributed to Charles Meigh of Hanley, Staffordshire, and dating to approximately 1835–1849.
The elaborate transfer-printed design combines an imagined Eastern landscape with classical buildings, a flower-filled ornamental urn and extravagant rococo scrollwork. A richly patterned border continues the decoration with urns, stylised foliage, scallop motifs and architectural details.
The deeply scalloped shape is complemented by a distinctive moulded white edge, giving each plate a sculptural quality. The contrast between the raised pale detailing and intricate cobalt-blue print makes these particularly striking pieces of early Staffordshire tableware.
Both plates bear a printed “Chinese Landscape” floral cartouche on the reverse. The maker attribution and approximate date relate to this pattern and the plates’ distinctive form.
Made during the transition from the late Georgian to early Victorian period, these matching soup plates offer considerable appeal for collectors of English transferware and for anyone who enjoys decorating with antique blue-and-white ceramics.
Details & Condition
Both plates are in very good decorative antique condition for their age.
Each plate has small chips or nibbles confined to the underside foot rim. These are beneath the plates and are not visible when displayed from the front. The losses are clearly shown in the photographs.
Other signs of age include light surface wear, fine crazing, scattered speckling and small glaze and firing irregularities. There is also natural variation within the transfer-printed decoration, consistent with the manufacturing process.
No cracks or restoration have been identified.
The fronts display beautifully, retaining clear blue decoration and a softly aged appearance.
Measurements are approximate. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and show the condition of both plates.
Polly’s Styling Notes
These are the sort of blue-and-white plates that bring immediate interest to a dresser or plate wall. Their deeply scalloped outlines and moulded white edges give them far more presence than a simple circular plate.
I would display them together, either standing on a dresser among other collected ceramics or incorporated into a wall arrangement with contrasting plate shapes.
The intricate decoration would also look wonderful against a dark painted background, where the white moulded edges and cobalt-blue pattern could really shine.
Delivery
UK delivery is included in the price.
Your plates will be individually protected and carefully packed for their journey. Please allow up to five working days for dispatch.
Worldwide delivery is available at an additional cost. If your destination is not available at checkout, or you would like a quotation for combined or bulk delivery, please email polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk.
Any applicable international import duties, taxes or customs charges are the buyer’s responsibility unless expressly included in your delivery quotation.
Returns
Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery.
For change-of-mind returns, the buyer is responsible for return postage. Both plates must be securely packaged and returned in the same condition in which they were received.
Sourced by Polly
Personally sourced and selected by Polly of French General Trading, drawing on more than 25 years of experience buying and selling antiques, vintage pieces and decorative art.
I choose pieces for their character, craftsmanship and the interest they bring to an interior. This matching pair combines intricate early transfer decoration with an especially attractive moulded form.
You will receive the two individual antique soup plates shown in the photographs.
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