Antique Creamware Charger with Hand-Painted Leaf Border, 33.5cm

This impressive antique creamware charger presents a generous 33.5cm diameter and a restrained yet elegant hand-painted decoration, characteristic of late 18th to early 19th century English refined earthenware. The body is a warm cream tone rather than a stark white, a hallmark of classic creamware, and is finished in a clear lead glaze that shows a gentle, time-softened sheen.

The charger’s wide, slightly cavetto-form well is left undecorated, drawing the eye to the richly embellished rim. Around the border runs a continuous frieze of ochre-brown foliate motifs, executed freehand. Each stylised leaf sprays outward from a fine sinuous stem that meanders in a rhythmic scroll. Small dot-and-sprig flourishes fill the spaces between, lending a sense of lightness to the otherwise bold, earthy palette. The painting shows the minor variation and spontaneity expected of genuine hand-decoration rather than transfer printing.

A narrow gilt line defines the inner edge of the border, subtly framing the central field. To the extreme outer edge is a delicate green line, now partially worn in places but still visible in segments, which adds a refined note of colour contrast typical of Regency-era taste. The rim itself is gently everted, making the piece highly practical for service as a meat or presentation plate while also giving it an attractive silhouette when displayed on the wall or in a cabinet.

The back is plain glazed creamware with a simple painted pattern number “310” to the centre, suggesting factory catalogue decoration rather than a later amateur embellishment. The underside edge shows expected kiln and age-related speckling, consistent with period manufacture. There are no obvious factory marks to tie it conclusively to a single maker, but the material and style sit comfortably with English creamware production from Staffordshire or Leeds-type potteries in the late Georgian period.

Condition, given the age, is described as good. The glaze on the front retains a pleasing gloss with typical utensil wear and light surface scratching to the well, evidence of honest use rather than damage. Around the rim there are small spots of rubbing, minor fritting and occasional tiny enamel losses to the green line and brown foliate painting; these areas are clearly shown in the close-up images and remain cosmetic only, not structural. No major chips, hairline cracks or restorations are apparent from the photographs, which is particularly desirable for a large serving piece of this era.

This charger would make an excellent addition to a collection of Georgian and Regency ceramics, especially for those focusing on creamware, early hand-painted borders or the transition period before fully printed services became dominant. Its generous size makes it suitable as a focal point on a sideboard or in a wall display, while the neutral cream ground and warm brown decoration mean it pairs comfortably with both plainer creamware and polychrome services. For interior decorators, it offers a subtle period accent that reads as both rustic and refined, blending well with country house, farmhouse or traditional schemes.

Whether used as a period serving piece for special occasions or as a purely decorative object, this large antique creamware charger embodies the simplicity, utility and understated elegance that made English creamware the preferred ceramic of the Georgian table.