Rare Vintage 1920s Clinchfield China Pheasant Platter - Edwin Megargee Bird Art circa 1927
ALL THINGS WEAR A LUSTER WHICH IS THE GIFT OF THE PRESENT AND A TARNISH OF TIME. RALPH WALDO EMERSON
{HISTORY}
Just a few months short of its 95th birthday, this almost antique Clinchfield platter is a rare gem among Southern pottery makers. In operation from 1916 to 1957, Clinchfield Pottery based in Erwin, Tennessee was a favorite everyday dish manufacturer among American households during the early part of the 20th century. Prized for both their hand-painted and decorative transferware patterns, Clinchfield dishes are a challenge to find now because so many pieces were so heavily used on a daily basis that most were eventually discarded due to wear and tear or breakage. Pieces that have survived into our new century are now highly prized and collected by china aficionados around the world.
Initially trained by Ohio craftsmen, who taught simple yet pretty hand-painted designs and easy to apply transferware techniques to the new unskilled workers at Clinchfield, this platter made in 1927, contains colorful transferware imagery of a male and female pheasant along with gold transferware floral design elements around the rim. To complete the overall design of this ultra-stylish dish, a lusterware glaze was added washing the platter in a soft orange shade that both reflects iridescent light and draws attention to the embossed detailing that runs around the rim.
The pheasant imagery was created by Edwin Mcegargee,(1883-1958), a well-known animal painter and illustrator who primarily worked with dogs, horses, and birds as subjects matters. His designs have been reproduced on dishware by numerous china companies throughout the 20th century, but it is very difficult nowadays to find Clinchfield pieces that contain his beautifully detailed images.
{SPECIAL FEATURES}
- Rare American Clinchfield pottery
- Colors include tomato red, celery green, butter yellow, grey, pale, mint, blue, black, brown, and soft peachy orange.
- Lustreware finish
- Wonderful aged patina with crazing and age spots
- Marked on bottom with the Clinchfield S.P.I. China crown backstamp with the production date of 10-27 (October 1927)
{CONDITION}
Aged over time with lots of character and natural patina, this almost antique platter is in lovely condition. There are no chips or cracks but plenty of fine crazing marks. There are a few rub marks in the bird imagery (most noticeable on the female pheasant). There is some rubbing to the gold transferware floral decals. The lusterware is bright and shiny. And the platter itself is strong and sturdy.
{SIZE}
Measures 13.25" inches (length) x 10" inches (width) and weigfhs 2.4lbs
{STYLE IDEA}
Containing all the gorgeous colors of Autumn, this paltter is an especially lovely serving piece or display piece for Fall feasts and Thanksgiving holiday festivities.