Antique 1851 Great Exhibition Boy with Punchinello Plate 18.5cm

An original mid-19th-century commemorative plate produced for the Great Exhibition of 1851.

The centre features a black transfer-printed image entitled “Boy with Punchinello,” depicting a reclining boy holding a Punchinello puppet. The subject was based on a sculpture exhibited by Belgian sculptor Eugène Simonis. Beneath the image are the words “Boy with punchinello 1851 Exhibition.”

The cream earthenware plate has a decorative molded border of wheat ears and flowing leaves. An interesting survivor from the landmark Great Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace in London, it would make a characterful addition to a collection of early transferware, exhibition souvenirs or social-history ceramics.

The pottery manufacturer is unknown, and the reverse is unmarked.