Antique Staffordshire “Washington Vase” Pearl Stone Ware Purple Transferware Plate — Podmore, Walker & Co., Tunstall England circa 1849–56

Antique mid-19th-century Staffordshire transferware plate in the “Washington Vase”pattern, manufactured by Podmore, Walker & Co. of Tunstall, Staffordshire, England. The pattern was registered by the firm in 1849, andthe P.W. & Co. form of the maker’s mark was used approximately 1834–1856, supporting a date of circa 1849–1856.

The central scenic transfer depicts a picturesque classical garden landscape, featuring a largeornate covered urn or vase beneath tall palm trees, accompanied by a smaller classical urn on a pedestal. Beyond the garden is a tranquil bodyof water with an extensive architectural landscape of towers, buildings and walls, set against distant mountains. The exotic foliage, classical vessels andromantic architectural setting are characteristic of 19th-century Staffordshire scenic transferware.

The plate has an elaborate deep purple transfer-printed border decorated with abundant floral motifs, scrolling Rococo-style ornament and atextured ground. Five large ornamental cartouches are incorporated into the border, each containingadditional architectural and urn motifs, separated by scrolling flourishes and floral decoration.

The reverse bears the distinctive “PEARL STONE WARE / WASHINGTON VASE / P.W. & Co.” backstamp, identifying the ware as Pearl Stone Ware, the pattern as Washington Vase, and the manufacturer as Podmore, Walker & Co. of Tunstall, Staffordshire.

Measures: 10”

Condition: The plate exhibits extensive overall glaze crazing consistent with its age, with a pleasing aged patina. There is also a stable hairline fracture, which is predominantly visible on the reverse and is not strongly apparent from the decorated front. The plate remains structurallystable and retains its attractive scenic decoration.