Lovely Antique English Victorian Majolica Begonia Leaf Plate #1

Pottery : Antique : Majolica : Britain

 

I am pleased to offer this lovely example of a Victorian English majolica Begonia Leaf plate. These plates and other pieces featuring the large and colorful leaves of the Begonia Rex were wildly popular in England and America from the 1860’s through the 1880’s. Both majolica and the Begonia Rex plant were introduced into England at about the same time...majolica in 1851 and the plant in 1856 and both were received with unrestrained enthusiasm. With its capacity for deep relief and its vivid colors, majolica lent itself beautifully to modeling of the newly introduced colorful plant with deeply textured leaves. Within a few years, potteries on both sides of the Atlantic were turning out their own majolica versions of Begonia leaf plates, compotes, and dishes. This example, though unmarked, is undoubtedly English (as that is where I found it). It measures approximately 8 ½” in diameter and features three overlapped leaves glazed in mottled shades of emerald green, chocolate brown, buttercup yellow, and honey gold. The molding is deep and crisp. It is in superb condition with no chips, cracks, hairlines, or repairs. There is one minute (3mm) old glaze flake on the bottom rim, but that is its only issue. It is marked with an impressed 33 on the back. Shipping weight: 2 lb. 3 oz. (Location: OC2)

MEMBER: Majolica International Society

Item ID: RL040918