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, seated on a small bench at her spinning wheel, busily engaged in the task of creating yarn. The background shows a window with deep sill on which a pottery vase is sitting, wall shelf holding a large pottery pitcher with pewter mug suspended on a nail and the open fireplace to provide heat and cooking facilities. The lady attired in long skirt, three quarter length sleeved top and her hair pulled back forming a bun at the back. The details are outstanding and life-like, reminding one of a Wallace Nutting print from the era. 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 #5 from a set of 5.