Georgian Derby Partridge Pattern Imari Plate c1815, 20.5cm

This attractive early 19th‑century Derby porcelain plate is a fine example of the sought‑after “Partridge” pattern, produced during the Georgian period around 1815. Measuring approximately 20.5 cm in diameter, it is a useful cabinet size that displays beautifully on its own or as part of an Imari‑pattern group.

The front is decorated in a confidently painted, typically English interpretation of Japanese Imari. A stylised rocky blue trunk rises through the centre, issuing flowering branches and foliage picked out in iron‑red, underglaze cobalt blue and bright green enamels, with delicate gilt accents. Nestled among the branches is the distinctive partridge bird that gives the pattern its name, rendered in shaded iron‑red and cobalt, adding character and narrative to the design. The background is densely filled with small red buds and blossoms, creating an overall carpet of colour which is characteristic of early Derby Imari wares.

The rim is finished with a fine gilded line, which helps frame the busy interior decoration. The cavetto is gently dished, and the plate sits on a neatly turned footring to the reverse. The back shows the typical glazed surface of early 19th‑century Derby porcelain, together with a hand‑painted red mark and workman’s numerals in red and blue. These marks, along with the style of the enamelling and the quality of the porcelain body, support an attribution to the Derby factory circa 1810–1820.

The piece displays the slightly greyish yet fine white body associated with Georgian Derby, fired to a good ring. The enamels retain strong, unfaded colour and the gilding, where present, still shows a pleasing soft lustre. From the photographs, there is evidence of age‑related wear and a visible stained firing or stress line to the reverse which appears to travel through to the front; collectors should examine this carefully, as such lines are typical in early porcelain and often considered acceptable when stable. Minor surface wear, utensil marks or small glaze imperfections can also be expected on a plate of this age and are consistent with genuine early 19th‑century production rather than later reproduction.

Historically, the Partridge pattern sits within the wider Derby fascination with oriental designs, particularly those inspired by Japanese Imari and Kakiemon wares. Around 1810–1820 the factory produced a variety of richly enamelled plates and dishes for dessert and cabinet use, often in small services. Surviving single plates such as this are popular with collectors who appreciate the bold, decorative impact of the design and the way it represents the transition from late Georgian elegance into the more opulent Regency taste.

For collectors of Derby porcelain, early Imari or bird‑pattern wares, this plate would make a characterful addition. It works well displayed flat in a cabinet, on a plate stand, or wall‑mounted as a focal point in a period interior. The 20.5 cm size also allows it to mix comfortably with other dessert or side plates from the same era. Its combination of strong colour, documented Partridge pattern and early date gives it both decorative appeal and historical interest, while the visible signs of age confirm its authenticity as an early 19th‑century piece rather than a modern reproduction.