American Flamingo by John James Audubon

This gorgeous earthenware plate features an original drawing of an American Flamingo by John James Audubon for his epic books "The Birds of America." The plate was made by the firm of William Adams in Tunstall, England and dates from 1896 to 1914, according to the maker's mark.

The decorations were produced on copper plates and hand applied as a gray and black transfer on the white earthenware. They were then hand painted and given a high-gloss glaze. The red-orange color of the bird is typical for the American flamingo; it dominates the center scene against a seashore background with other flamingos in the distance. The lip of the plate has tropical palm leaves, flowers and palm fruit (berries).

The plate measures 10 1/4 inches in diameter and 1 inch high. It weighs 1 1/2 pounds and is in excellent condition...no cracks, no chips, no crazing, no issues. The colors are vibrant and unfaded and the hand painting is so well done.

The printed marks on the reverse contain a wealth of information. The Adams company mark includes “ESTBd 1657” based on their relationship to John Adams, who opened a pottery that year in Staffordshire. The company was absorbed by the Wedgwood Group in 1966 and ceased operations in 1992. Items made by Adams after 1966 have "Part of the Wedgwood Group" in their backstamps.

One of these plates is in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. It is, however, a later copy made circa 1950, since the Adams mark includes on it includes "& Sons."

This is such a dramatic plate, a focal point wherever it's displayed.

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EB 5593

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