We came to America, either ourselves or in the persons of our ancestors, to better the ideals of men, to make them see finer things than they had seen before, to get rid of the things that divide and to make sure of the things that unite. Woodrow Wilson

{HISTORY}

Containing all the colors of a beautiful beach day, this antique platter was made in the bustling pottery area of Burelsm, Stoke-on-Trent, England by John Maddock and Sons between the years 1880-1897. A family-run business that first began in the 1830s, John Maddock manufactured dishware for over 150 years before closing permanently in the 1980s. 

This platter was made around the time that pottery founder John Maddock, retired and his son, John Jr. took over the complete operation of the company.  Interested in producing functional dishware instead of merely decorative, the company flourished under John Jr.'s guidance.

Traveling to America, in the mid-1870s, John Jr. got a better understanding of the needs, and desires of consumers as well as the potential business opportunities for the American dishware market - info that he took back home to England and enlarged his pottery operations, expanding into hotelware and retail export.

It's fun to think about this platter and how it wound up in America. Maybe it came over with John Jr. himself - a sample tucked into a carrying case to demonstrate the pottery's design talents and craftmanship. Or perhaps it sailed by steamer at a later date - the 1880s, where it arrived in port in New York City destined for a local china shop and a buyer's admiration. Or perhaps it came over in a suitcase on the immigration boats through Ellis Island, a treasured heirloom to remind its owner of their English homeland. Or maybe this platter hung, the focal point of pride, in a dining room in England for decades well into the 20th century before it relocated to America with a household full of belongings.

That's the beauty of an antique platter made in a foreign land. They are seasoned adventurers just as much as they are functional servers in the kitchen. So many stories... 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Neutral color palette includes shades of peach, clay, pale yellow and pale blue

- Handpainted 

- Fluted Rim

- Stamped on back with maker's mark

{CONDITION}

In lovely antique condition befitting a platter of this age. There are two small chips (measuring 1/4" inch each) on the backside of the platter at the rim's edge. You can partially see one of these chips from the front but it is small and not very noticeable given the shape of the fluted edge. Other than that, 150 years of time and travel has been kind to this beauty as there are no cracks or stains.  

{SIZE}

Measures 16" inches (length) x 11.5" inches (width) and weigh 3.8lbs

{STYLE IDEA}

This platter looks gorgeous when paired with these antique plates and this antique gravy boat thanks to a similar color palette.