Ridgway 19thC Neoclassical Sprigged Square Plate Staffordshire 23cm

This attractive square plate is an excellent example of early 19th‑century English porcelain in the refined neoclassical taste, traditionally attributed to the Ridgway factory of Staffordshire. Measuring approximately 23 cm across, the piece has a gently waisted square outline with rounded, lobed corners and a shallow, dished well. It is made in a pale grey‑stone ground with a subtle blue cast, over which applied cream‑coloured sprig ornament has been meticulously arranged, creating a highly tactile surface typical of better quality sprigged wares of the Regency period.

The central reserve is decorated with a crisply moulded classical scene in relief, featuring semi‑draped figures grouped beneath a spreading tree, with attendant putti and additional figures in the foreground. This kind of Arcadian subject, loosely derived from antique cameos and intaglios, was particularly popular from about 1815–1830 and closely echoes the jasper and stoneware designs of Wedgwood, here translated into a porcelain body. Around the scene runs a finely worked border of scrolling acanthus and foliate sprays, also applied in cream sprig, creating a framed panel that emphasises the relief work.

Radiating from the inner panel to the edge of the plate are repeated vertical sprigs, each representing a stylised fern or feather‑like frond. These are laid out in carefully spaced rows, giving a sense of order and symmetry that enhances the neoclassical character. The edge of the inner panel and the outer rim are both enriched with hand‑painted gilding, forming a narrow line of gold that neatly defines the contours of the plate. While the gilding shows the minor soft wear expected from age and use, it remains present and legible, helping the relief work stand out against the softly tinted ground.

The reverse of the plate is unadorned, with a plain glazed surface and an inset foot‑rim typical of Ridgway and other Staffordshire porcelain of the period. No painted or printed factory mark is visible in the images, which is not unusual for Ridgway pieces of this early date; attribution rests on the characteristic body, the palette, and the strongly Ridgway‑type modelling of the sprigs and borders. The porcelain body appears sound, with no obvious structural cracks, restoration or over‑painting visible in the photographs. There are small firing and glaze irregularities, light surface marks and some age‑related discolouration within the central field, all consistent with an early 19th‑century manufacture and honest domestic use.

Stylistically, this plate would sit comfortably within a dessert or side service intended for use on fashionable Regency tables, where such neoclassical sprigged pieces provided a textural and visual counterpoint to more brightly enamelled wares. The square, slightly waisted form lends itself well to display on a wall or within a cabinet, and the muted palette harmonises easily with other creamware, jasperware, and soft‑coloured porcelain groups. Collectors of Ridgway, Staffordshire porcelain in general, or neoclassical revival design will recognise the appeal of the detailed sprigging and the well‑balanced composition.

Overall condition, as far as can be judged from the images, is good for its age: there is expected light wear to gilding and minor surface marks, but no major chips or obvious structural faults apparent. The plate remains an attractive and decorative example of English neoclassical porcelain c. 1820, offering both aesthetic charm and historical interest as a representative piece of Ridgway’s sprigged production.