English Pearlware Underglaze Blue Painted Bowl, House pattern, the exterior of the bowl with Chinoiserie scene of pagoda or house, fringed trees, zig zag bands, and lots and lots of dashes, signifying birds in the sky. Bowl interior with cell and diaper border alternating with close cross hatched patterned sections and with stylized foliate design in reserves. Bowl center featuring stylized floral spray. Not marked. Circa 1780. Approximate dimensions: 4” H. X 8 3/4” Diameter, 4 5/8” Diameter to foot. Condition: series of shallow chips to foot; 3/4” long shallow hairline crack to rim; crazing throughout, as well as various shallow scratches; minor flaking to glazes. Also as manufactured, stilt marks and one 1/3” L. Dimple to exterior

The manufacture of this bowl attributed to Ralph Wedgwood, active at Hill Works, Burslem for only ten years, 1788 - 1798. As described by Lois Roberts, “Painted in Blue: Underglaze Blue Painted Earthenwares 1775 to 1810” (Northern Ceramics Society, 2006, printed by Lois Roberts) these “China White” bodied articles are painted winsomely in the manner of Chinese porcelains, but in the less glamorous Pearlware body in many parts of Northern England, as well as Scotland. See Roberts, page 55.