Minton plates

http://www.thepotteries.org/potters/minton.htm

Click on the hot link above for a more complete history of Minton plates.

In the 18th century, many of the English potters had a hard time trying to find high-quality materials to make porcelain plates. It was not until the 1740s that they began to use calcined animal bone ash to help give the antique dinnerware both strength and translucency, using various experimental formulas. After much debate and failed experiments, the potters concluded that the best bones to use were those from an ox. The only problem was that until 1796, bone china was illegal. There had been problems brewing between the trading that was done with the people in the Far East, and because of this they found that they were running low on the porcelain that was used to make English antique plates, and they desperately sought a solution to the problem.

A potter from Staffordshire by the name of Joseph Poulson was one of the first to produce new china pottery after the patent for the bone China was disapproved by Parliament. By 1796, he struck up a partnership with Thomas Minton who owned and operated an earthenware pottery factory.

Though they each owned their own businesses, they worked together to create dinnerware for the English people. Poulson made the pottery while Minton, a trained engraver, decorated each piece. Minton had a mind for business, which he learned from his brother, Arthur, and was able to make it successful.

Together both Paulson and Minton created antique plates that were considered to be elegant when compared to most pieces of its day. There are no marked plates and other dinnerware from Minton’s very early works. However, a few of the dessert plates have survived and are recognized by their blue-and-white earthenware pattern for which Minton is known.

Minton used various patterns and techniques, making his pieces diverse and unique. The majority of the early patterns were decorated with an overglaze of polychrome enamels that covered the entire piece. He used skilled artists to paint landscapes and other scenes with exquisite details.

Besides using landscapes, Minton also created some pieces with floral patterns. Some had only one flower while others had groups of them. Other of these types of pieces were designed with exotic birds next to plants that were rich in color and beauty. On the bottom were Chinese decorations and pseudo-Chinese characters.

Each Minton antique teapot, plate, and dish came in various patterns as well as shapes. Some were basic while others had a very unique shape that defined it and matched the period it was made in. Today, Minton plates are still exquisite and can cost anywhere between $200 to $12,000.

For more information on Willow ware, another Minton plate style, click on the hot link below (Wikipedia):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_pattern