C. & W. K. Harvey "Delaware" Dinner Plate, c. 1850

A beautifully detailed example of early Victorian Staffordshire transferware, this octagonal dinner plate features the “Delaware” pattern in soft blue transfer on an ivory-white ground. The central scene depicts a romantic landscape of a grand architectural estate beside a tranquil river, framed by distant mountains, trees, and elegantly dressed figures. An elaborate trellis, floral, and scrollwork border completes the design.

The reverse is marked “DELAWARE / H”, identifying the pattern, along with the maker's mark associated with C. & W. K. Harvey.

C. & W. K. Harvey was the Staffordshire pottery firm of Charles Harvey and William Kenwright Harvey, operating in Longton, Staffordshire, from 1835 to 1853. The firm manufactured earthenware, ironstone, and china at the Stafford Street Works and several additional Longton works. During its later years, the firm became particularly focused on printed wares and white granite ware, much of which was produced for the North and South American markets.

The relatively short operating period of C. & W. K. Harvey makes its surviving marked wares especially interesting to collectors of early Staffordshire ceramics. The “Delaware” pattern is known in a variety of forms, including plates and larger serving pieces, and examples of the pattern by Harvey remain highly recognizable for their romantic landscape imagery and elaborate floral borders.

Origin: Longton, Staffordshire, England
Maker: C. & W. K. Harvey
Pattern: Delaware
Date: c. 1835–1853
Material: Ironstone
Decoration: Blue transferware
Dimensions: 10.5" diameter
Condition: Antique condition with age-related crazing, discoloration, and minor imperfections consistent with age and use. Please see photographs for details.