Hand decorated porcelain is beautiful no matter if executed in a factory decorating department, professional studio or home studio environment. The end result is what really matters.

This wonderful hand painted portrait plate, circa 1900, was expertly created in a home studio environment, or perhaps a professional studio. Fabulous exterior scene of a Victorian lady resting by an artesian spring gently emerging from between several large rocks creating a small stream. The background shows a manicured lawn, shrubs and autumn colored trees against a hazy blue sky. The lady attired in long skirt, short sleeved top and hat, rests her left elbow on the rocks, while holding her chin in her hand. In her right hand she is holding a rack handle, so you know she has been engaged in racking fallen leaves. The details are outstanding and life-like. The gently scalloped plate is decorated with a wide gold encrusted verge of rose blossoms, leafage and delicate beads; the rim continues this theme with two rows of tiny gold encrusted beads.

The plate measures 8 3/8'" across and is stamped in green "J P over L over France", circa 1890-1902, for the Jean Pouyat Porcelain Company established in the mid 1800's. The plate is also signed and dated by the artist "Elizabeth Day - 1903. There are no cracks, chips or repairs; some very minor gold wear on edge. This is plate #3 from a set of 5.