Offering a rare Lester Breininger wedding plate from 1981.  It is a slip and sgraffito decorated dish and is 12-1/2” Diameter, and 1-3/4" tall on the sides. It is based on an antique redware plate, thought to be a wedding plate, where the two birds join to form a single heart.  It was no doubt inspired by a similar antique redware plate by George Hubener (from nearby Limerick PA) at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware.

Lester Breininger (1935-2011) was a well-known antique collector, teacher, and highly regarded potter from Robesonia, PA , and is considered one of the best and most collectable modern redware artisans.  He worked as a biology teacher at Conrad Weiser School District, and his wife Barbara worked as a nurse. The Breiningers hosted sales where visitors could purchase folk art, view their collection of pewter and redware, and listen to fiddlers.  He started making redware in the late 1970's, and it is not often you will find his early work, as this piece was signed in 1981.

Around the plate in German is the saying " Alles was ihr wollt, daß euch die Leute tun sollen, das tut ihr ihnen" which translates literally to "Whatever you want people to do to you, you do to them"  In other words, it is the Golden Rule, a fundamental ethical principle that states, " In everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you" It appears in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12) and is also known as the ethics of reciprocity.  "Golden Rule" is scribed on the back by the maker as shown.

Breinger also had the endearingly quirky habit of signing the exact date the plate was made, as well as the weather that day.  This plate reads:

TM

L (?) Breininger

Robesonia

1981 (Keystone) July 23 

Beautiful Day

Golden Rule

The weather that day in Robesonia, PA was actually 80 degrees and sunny.

And it is very rare to see the PA Keystone symbol inscribed on his work. 

This was obviously used as a display piece, as it is in mint condition, save one edge chip as shown.  On the back are remnants of felt pads that were used to protect the plate, and can be removed with a little elbow grease if it bothers you.

This plate is rare due to it's age and style, and if you collect Breininger redware, this is a must-have for any collection.

I also have a Breininger bowl from 1982 in my listings.

Thanks for looking!