A most attractive Early 19th Century Antique English Georgian Blue and White Transfer Pierced Pottery Chestnut or Dessert Basket Stand of Indian interest by John and Richard Riley of Burslem, Staffordshire { 1802 – 1828 }, printed in the “Eastern Street Scene” pattern, { Sack, Plate 2-10 }, one of an identical pair presently available ex stock. The scene, a composite of two prints, was taken from Thomas & William Daniell’s “Oriental Scenery and Views in Hindoostan”, Parts I and II”, published by Robert Bowyer at the Historic Gallery, Pall Mall, London, between 1795 and 1807. The tree on the left is from, “The Sacred Tree of the Hindoos at Gyah, Bahar”, (Part I, 15). The buildings on the right are from “View on the Chitpore Road, Calcutta”, (Part II, 2). See Michael Archer, “Indian Themes in English Pottery”, Apollo, Vol. XCII, No. 102, August 1970, { Stock Ref. AXCII102A1970-XX }, and Michael Sack’s “India on Transferware”, { 2009 }, Pages 38 and 39. Printed in a deep blue palette, and signed upon the reverse with the printed Maker’s mark in underglaze blue.

These transferware pieces rarely survived over the years as they are so intricate in their design.  Called a chestnut bowl, or "Castañera" in Spanish, it is a specialized plate designed for serving chestnuts, with a reticulated (pierced) or slotted design at its sides to allow for steam to escape and excess syrup to drain. These bowls or deep plates  were particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, with fine examples often featuring elaborate decorations and being part of a larger dish service.  This stunning blue and white example comes from the Staffordshire potter Riley’s and is a fine pearlware example.

Riley’s were Earthenware and China manufacturers at the Nile Street (c.1802-1814) and Hill Works (c.1814-1828), Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Potteries.

J & R Riley operated from the site of the Hill Pottery and also (in 1814) built the Hill Works on the opposite corner to the Hill Pottery. 

Source: thepotteries.org

Measures: just under 9” x 7.5”

Condition: There are no chips or cracks. Overall, considering age and the intricacy in design it is in Gorgeous condition!

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Featured on Etsy November 2012:

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/collecting-english-transferware-one-womans-story