Staffordshire slipware plate; circular plate with rim and deep well; decorated with dark and light brown slip; in the centre two heads, with a conventional tree between; interlacing looped border on rim; decoration by William Taylor; made about 1690-1700
This late seventeenth century dish is decorated with the ancient technique called 'slip-trailing'. 'Slip' is clay mixed with water. It can be squeezed through a bag to decorate a ceramic surface like icing piped onto a cake. This decoration was popular on seventeenth century Staffordshire wares. The designs were simple but charming and included both abstract patterns and human or animal figures.
The two figures on this dish may be intended to be William and Mary, King and Queen of England from 1689. Alternatively, they may represent a marriage, and the dish may have been made as a wedding present.
Our knowledge of the potters of this period is scarce, but very occasionally they signed their pieces. This dish is not signed, but the style of the decoration closely resembles signed works by a Staffordshire potter, William Taylor.
