Decorative Blue and White Porcelain Center Piece with Historical Scenes, signed Victoria-Ironstone, H:8.5" L:18". The coloration of "Blue and white wares" designate white pottery and porcelain decorated under the glaze with a blue pigment, generally cobalt oxide. The decoration is commonly applied by hand, by stencilling or by transfer-printing, though other methods of application have also been used. Historically, the orgin of Chinese blue and white porcelain was once-fired: after the porcelain body was dried, decorated with refined cobalt-blue pigment mixed with water and applied using a brush, coated with a clear glaze and fired at high temperature we see this influence of style and glaze with the early Export Trade from China throughout Europe and America. By the beginning of the 17th century Chinese blue and white porcelain was being exported directly to Europe. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Oriental blue and white porcelain was highly prized in Europe and America and sometimes enhanced by fine silver and gold mounts, it was collected by kings and princes. The European manufacture of porcelain started at Meissen in Germany in 1707. The early wares were strongly influenced by Chinese and other Oriental porcelains and an early pattern was blue onion, which is still in production at the Meissen factory today. Early English porcelain wares were also influenced by Chinese wares and when, for example, the production of porcelain started at Worcester, nearly forty years after Meissen, Oriental blue and white wares provided the inspiration for much of the decoration used. Hand-painted and transfer-printed wares were made at Worcester and at other early factories such as in England with the Staffordshire factory. As an example with this center piece you have historical references with handles, it is an impressive style and piece for any collection.

Antique Porcelain & Pottery
Misc. Antique Pottery