Plate, Elephant and Howdah

Item Number: P247
Item Shape:  Dessert or Side Plate
Pattern Name: Elephant and Howdah
Date: c. 1790-1800
Dimensions: D 8.75″
Maker: Wedgwood & Co.
Maker’s Mark: Unmarked
Description:
An octagonal earthenware plate with molded edge. The pattern is printed in brown with over the glaze enameling in orange, yellow, green and blue. Minnie Holdaway documented this pattern as another Wedgwood & Co. version of the Elephant and Howdah pattern. This pattern differs from the marked Wedgwood & Co. also in this collection and recorded in the TCC database as pattern #693, in that it is not the “Processional Elephant and Howdah” pattern. There are only two other figures in the scene. Here, a winding road leads the viewer to a fenced compound in the distance in which a tall pagoda temple stands. Large fruit trees also play a dominant role in the scene. The pattern motifs vary somewhat in the two images here due to the great difference in size of the two pieces. The small plate shows the motifs abbreviated somewhat and closer together. The elephant has moved further to the right on the platter, but is back in the center on the plate. The outer border on this pattern is taken from the Wedgwood Pattern & Shape Book, therefore, it is assumed it was produced by Wedgwood & Co. The border is quite elaborate here with 5 layers beginning with the yellow gold painted line on molded rim. The wide outer border is next, followed by a geometrical diamond pattern with simple loops on the inner side. The fish-roe border frames the center pattern.
Condition: Very good.