Antique Staffordshire Nursery Plate Hop-Picking Scene c.1850

An unusual antique child’s nursery plate, probably made in the Staffordshire potteries during the mid-19th century.

The centre is decorated in black transfer print with a busy rural scene showing women and children gathering crops among tall supporting poles and filling a large woven basket. The scene most likely depicts traditional hop picking, although it may represent the gathering of flowers.

The printed design is surrounded by a distinctive moulded ground, giving the surface an almost basketweave or stippled texture. The irregular finish, soft transfer printing and small manufacturing imperfections give it plenty of early handmade character.

The reverse is unmarked, so the precise manufacturer cannot be confirmed.

An appealing piece of early social-history pottery for a collection of nursery ware, transferware, country antiques or hop-picking memorabilia.