Staffordshire Deep Blue Commemorative Dish

[ghopper1924]

https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2524B/lots/793

Another. Check out the spelling on Maryland

[Ipcress]

Showed it to a couple of people and they agree it's modern. Nobody has seen that type of base on a Clews platter or meat plate before.

The auctions your linking to seem to all be in the US. Also, folds did occur but you can generally see the fold close by in the pattern.

Compare it to the one in the wiki pages.

[rink28]

He made a lot of these and not a lot of value. Probably less than100 dollars

[Ipcress]

Ghopper :

Email Norman Wolfe at floboo@pacificrim.net

He did an article on Clews in an American collectors weekly. Maybe he can shed some light on why these don't look like the British ones. That deep ridge swirl base is horrid, looks like there's some paste or paint in the middle and the mark - I could understand why one edge might not be clear but not opposite sides.

Maybe there was a batch made for the American market and some weren't as good as they should be ?

[ghopper1924]

Hey folks, thanks for your thoughtful analyses and for spending some extra time on this.

This is all great information, but I can't see how this being "modern" corresponds with the fact that it's been in MsGhopper's family for over 100 years, and she herself remembers seeing it when she was a child decades ago.

I did read an article this morning of an account from the early 19th century when an American was dealing with one of the Clews (can't remember which one). Clews was characterized as "difficult" and unwilling to take back substandard work. Since this type of ceramic was designed in England for the American export market, perhaps Clews was not picky about what went out.

Although far be it from me to cast aspersions on this piece. I think it's a beauty, odd spellings and all

[ghopper1924]

He made a lot of these and not a lot of value. Probably less than100 dollars

Who's "he?"

[ghopper1924]

Ipcress, thanks for the reference. I've e-mailed Norman; hopefully he'll get back to me with some knowledge.

[Ipcress]

Hey folks, thanks for your thoughtful analyses and for spending some extra time on this.

This is all great information, but I can't see how this being "modern" corresponds with the fact that it's been in MsGhopper's family for over 100 years, and she herself remembers seeing it when she was a child decades ago.

I did read an article this morning of an account from the early 19th century when an American was dealing with one of the Clews (can't remember which one). Clews was characterized as "difficult" and unwilling to take back substandard work. Since this type of ceramic was designed in England for the American export market, perhaps Clews was not picky about what went out.

Although far be it from me to cast aspersions on this piece. I think it's a beauty, odd spellings and all

I've heard stories behind antiques or books that someone can remember being at their parents house in the 50s and they're dated 30 years later - they actually have the date written on them. Things get mixed up or replaced.

She could well be right but I'm just going on the pictures

this is why it's always best to use auction houses with online catalogues - even the big guys like Christies and Sotheby's makes mistakes. On the flip side, I've seen places like Skinners sell known fakes as authentic items. Often a Bergman bronze or something commercial like that.
There was a Staffordshire figurine on the tv the other day which was handled by an expert and described as original but the auction house regarded it as modern - the market decided it was, too.

It's a difficult game...

[ghopper1924]

In this case the provenance is impeccable. Her father, now 92, remembers it as well.

[rink28]

I'm talking about clews. I have seen same pieces as yours at flea markets and antique shops. There is not a lot of value. Like the previous member above you can find these online also. I have seen these listed before to 60 to 80 dollars even with the same "scroll" symbol on the bottom. There pretty common.

[rink28]

IPcress summed it up its modern unfortunately

[mart]

Excellent article Ipcress !!  Thanks !!  Still teaching this old dog some new tricks !!

[KC]

Wish I could be of help...but don't feel there is anything I can add one way or the other.

There are some pieces that you just have to have a hands on evaluation and I think this one warrants a look/see by someone in the know.

Love the deep blues.

[ghopper1924]

I sought the advice of the Transferware Collectors Club.  Here is their response:

Hi *****,

Your pattern was made by Ralph & James Clews (1814-1834) around 1825. It is known as the States Series for the names of the States in the border (there are usually 15). Mainly, there is a different center on each size and shape, but the TCC database shows this pattern on a 12.5 inch platter. The scene is an English scene; Trematon Castle, Cornwall, but the interest is American because of the border, which also includes the words America And Independence, as well as a portrait of George Washington.

[KC]

NICE!!!!