English Pearlware Platter: Lambton Hall Durham

• Grapevine Motif - The grapevine motif is a decorative design that features grapevines, leaves, and grapes and is commonly used in various forms of art and decoration, including jewellery, textiles, pottery, and architecture.
  
  In jewellery, the grapevine motif is often used to create decorative elements such as pins, brooches, necklaces, and bracelets. The design can be executed in a variety of materials, including precious metals such as gold and silver, and can be embellished with gems or enamel.
  
  The grapevine motif is a popular symbol in many cultures, representing abundance, prosperity, and fertility. In ancient times, grapevines were associated with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and celebration, and were used to decorate wine vessels, temples, and other sacred objects.
  
  In addition to its cultural significance, the grapevine motif is also appreciated for its aesthetic appeal. The intertwining branches and clusters of grapes create a graceful, flowing design that is both beautiful and versatile. Whether used in jewellery, textiles, or other forms of decorative arts, the grapevine motif continues to be a popular and enduring symbol of abundance and prosperity.
• Transfer Printed / Decorated Transferware - Transfer printing is method of decorating ceramics, reducing the cost of decoration when compared to employing artists to paint each piece. A print was taken on transfer-paper from an engraved copperplate, covered in ink prepared with metallic oxides, and the image on the paper was then applied to the biscuit-fired ceramic body. The print was fixed by heating the object in an oven, and then glazed, sealing the picture. Early transfer prints were blue and white, as cobalt was the only colour to stand firing without blurring. Early in the 19th century advances in the composition of the transfer paper resulted in better definition and detail, and enabled engravers to combine line-engraving with stipple.
• Pearlware - Pearlware is a type of earthenware pottery that was developed in the late 18th century in England, made from a mixture of clay, flint, and other materials, and is distinguished by its smooth, creamy white glaze. The glaze has a pearlescent quality, which is how the pottery got its name.
  
  Pearlware was developed as a more affordable alternative to porcelain, which was much more expensive and difficult to produce. It quickly became popular throughout England and Europe, and was exported to other parts of the world as well. It was particularly popular for making tableware, such as plates, bowls, and teapots, as well as decorative objects like figurines and vases.
  
  One of the most distinctive features of pearlware is its blue decoration. Many pieces of pearlware were decorated with blue patterns or designs, often featuring pastoral scenes, floral motifs, or geometric patterns. The blue decoration was typically applied over the white glaze, which created a striking contrast and made the designs stand out.
• Attributed - A cataloguing term where the item in the opinion of the cataloguers, is a of the period of the artist, craftsman or designer, and which probably in whole or part is the work of that person.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• English pearlware - ceramics 60
• Enoch Wood & Sons (Britain) - Ceramics 15