Antique Davenport Gaudy Dutch Plate c.1810 – 24cm Floral Imari Style

This attractive antique plate is a fine early 19th‑century example attributed to Davenport, decorated in the much‑collected “Gaudy Dutch” palette. Dating to around 1805–1820, it displays the exuberant hand‑painted style that bridges late Georgian taste and the early Regency fascination with bold colour and stylised florals.

The plate measures approximately 24 cm in diameter, as confirmed by the tape measure in the photographs. Formed with a gently dished well and a narrow raised rim, it is typical of Davenport dessert and tea wares from the first quarter of the 19th century. The body is a refined, pale ceramic with a smooth, slightly greyish glaze that is consistent with early English porcelain/stone china of this period.

The surface is richly painted overglaze in a Gaudy Dutch interpretation of the popular Imari style. Deep cobalt blue reserves are laid in broad, spiked panels around the border and centre, then heightened with fine gilded veining and radiating strokes. Between these dark blue elements runs a profusion of brightly coloured flowers and foliage: iron‑red and orange blooms, soft mustard‑yellow centres, pink buds and trailing green leaves, all interwoven with delicate brown tendrils and curling scrolls. This free, almost naïve handling of the enamels is characteristic of early Gaudy Dutch wares, and gives the plate strong decorative impact when displayed.

A narrow line of gilding is applied to the rim, now showing some expected rubbing from age and use. The underside is plain and unmarked, in keeping with many Davenport pieces of this early date, where factory marks were not yet applied consistently. The footrim shows typical wear and firing imperfections, supporting an early 19th‑century manufacture rather than a later reproduction.

Condition is consistent with an over‑200‑year‑old display plate and should be examined in the photographs. There is an old, stained hairline running from the rim into the body, visible both front and back, and the reverse shows pronounced age‑related glaze crazing in a fine network of lines. There are also a few small rim nicks and uneven spots from the original firing. Enamels remain generally bright, though with some rubbing to the higher points, especially in the gilded highlights and along the outer edge.

Despite these age‑related issues, the plate remains an appealing and authentic period example for collectors of Gaudy Dutch and early English porcelain. Its generous 24 cm size makes it suitable either as a cabinet display piece or as part of a wall arrangement, where the bold blue panels and colourful floral sprays read particularly well from a distance. For those researching patterns, it illustrates well the informal, floral Gaudy Dutch style made by Davenport and other Staffordshire factories around 1810, predating the more rigidly patterned Victorian Gaudy Welsh wares.

Overall, this is a charming historical plate that encapsulates the transition from late Georgian elegance to Regency exuberance, offering both decorative appeal and genuine antique character.