Antique Purple Shakespeare + Ann Hathaway Plate 1880

AESTHETIC PURPLE TRANSFERWARE PLATE

SHAKESPEARE + ANNE HATHAWAY

Staffordshire England

c 1880

This Victorian aesthetic 7 7/8 " wide plate is transfer printed in delicious Purple. The clear and crisp SHAKESPEARE pattern features William Shakespeare's house along with Ann Hathaway's Cottage.

Hathaway married Shakespeare in November of 1582 while pregnant with his child. Hathaway was 26 years old when she married, whereas Shakespeare was only 18. This age difference, and Hathaway's pregnancy, has been used by some historians as evidence that this was a "shotgun wedding" forced on a reluctant Shakespeare by Hathaway's family.

Condition is EXCELLENT, clean and bright. No chips, no cracks, no hairlines and no repairs. Plate wear consistent with age.