Antique Davenport Gaudy Dutch Floral Plate c1805-1820, 24cm

This attractive early 19th‑century plate is a fine example of Davenport porcelain decorated in the exuberant “Gaudy Dutch” taste, dating to around 1805–1820. Measuring approximately 24 cm in diameter, it displays the bold colour palette and lively hand‑painted decoration that made Gaudy wares so popular with Regency collectors and remains highly sought after with today’s enthusiasts.

The front of the plate is densely enamelled with an asymmetrical floral design, typical of early Davenport interpretations of the Gaudy Dutch style. A profusion of scrolling green foliage, small red and pink blossom and scattered tendrils forms a continuous ground, against which several large stylised flowers stand out in rich contrasting colours. Deep cobalt blue reserves, enhanced with fine gilt strokes, create dramatic star‑shaped blooms, echoed by a central yellow chrysanthemum‑type flower and a shaded orange and iron‑red lotus‑like head towards the rim. The painter has used a free, almost naïve brushwork, with visible strokes and slight irregularities which are characteristic of period production and help to confirm its hand‑crafted origin.

The rim is very slightly everted and left un‑gilded, another feature associated with early Gaudy patterns. The white glaze has the soft, slightly greyish tone often seen on late Georgian porcelain. Under close inspection the surface shows minor wear, small utensil marks and light rubbing to some enamel high points, perfectly consistent with age and use. These subtle signs of handling add to the authenticity and charm of the piece, giving it a pleasing antique character when displayed.

The reverse tells an equally interesting story. The plate has suffered a substantial historic break, now visible as a network of stained hairline cracks running across the base. In the 19th or early 20th century it was professionally restored using traditional metal staple, or “rivet”, repair – an increasingly appreciated conservation method in its own right. Three sets of metal staples secure a major fracture near the rim and cavetto, with additional rivets bridging a further crack towards the lower section. These hand‑inserted metal ties, drilled through and clenched into the body, are an evocative reminder of a period when valuable porcelain was treasured and repaired rather than discarded. The staple work appears sound and stable, though the plate should now be considered a decorative collector’s item rather than for food use.

Further age‑related features visible to the back include light crazing to the glaze, a few tiny firing specks and small imperfections around the footrim, all typical of early Davenport manufacturing. No maker’s mark is present, as is common for pieces from this early date, but the body, glaze, palette and floral arrangement are consistent with known Davenport Gaudy patterns produced at Longport, Staffordshire, in the first decades of the 19th century.

Despite its damage, this plate retains strong display value. The colours remain vibrant, especially the intense cobalt blue and fresh spring green, which stand out beautifully against a neutral background. Collectors of Gaudy Dutch and Gaudy Welsh, as well as specialists in Davenport porcelain and enthusiasts of riveted “make‑do‑and‑mend” ceramics, will appreciate it as an honest, early example with excellent period character. It would sit well in a cabinet of Georgian polychrome wares, as a reference piece for restoration techniques, or as a striking single accent on a wall plate hanger.

Condition summary (for clarity): the plate is broken and re‑assembled with multiple traditional metal staples; associated stained crazing and hairlines radiate across the base; minor glaze wear, small rim nibbles and typical firing flaws are present. The piece remains stable for display and offers a fascinating combination of decorative Gaudy Dutch design and historic repair.