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Machin's moustache


Here in the UK we are back into lockdown and although this is not a surprise, we all feel a little depressed about it. We really didn't want to go into the winter with this dark cloud hanging over us... but then there is always beauty, and we can make our homes beautiful!


I guess this is why so many of my followers and customers love early 19th Century plates. They are absolutely gorgeous, have been made with so much care, are great on display as well as for use, and they don't take much space. In fact, if you want to treat yourself or a loved one, a plate goes a long way as a versatile gift that doesn't cost the world.


One of the most popular designs is the "moustache" moulded plates. I have sold dozens of them, whether as separate one-offs, or in big dessert services. It is such a striking shape and it has come in many different patterns.


For years I have assumed that these were made by Ridgway. There are three reasons for that: it is a style that looks like Ridgway, they have pattern numbers that could be Ridgway, and, importantly, the famous porcelain scholar Geoffrey Godden attributed them to Ridgway in the one and only book on Ridgway porcelain. As Geoffrey Godden was the first and most important expert in the 20th Century, why would you not believe him?⁠

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But at the same time, when Godden started out on his heroic research into the confusing field of English porcelain, many things weren't clear yet. Since then a lot more research has been done on the shoulders of his work.⁠

And so it happened that it was concluded that no, the moustache shape was mostly done by Machin and not Ridgway, and some of them Hicks & Meigh. All the plates I sold as Ridgway were actually most probably Machin plates! All of you who bought them, they are just as beautiful, just not what I told you 😂😱

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My thanks for this epic journey goes out to Angela Grant, who runs a wonderful website on Ridgway http://ridgwaypatternbook.org.uk/ identifying every shape and pattern, and weeding out all the confusing cases, leading to more interesting research - who knows where we will end up


Today I am showing the first one with a white ground; all of the ones I have sold so far were cobalt blue and I still have one of those in stock as well. And soon I am going to have more of these white ones, but they are going to have birds... keep an eye on my new items if you are interested!


You can find the two plates that are currently available here in my shop, and if you want to see the next service with the birds, keep an eye on my page of dinner and dessert services. If you always want to see the latest additions, follow me on Instagram... I post pictures and a story every single day.


Oh, and of course there are gift cards... see the link below! 🎁🎁


Happy weekend, and make the dark winter in lockdown a bit lighter by creating a beautiful table setting! 🌸🍽🌺🍽🌸⁠









 

This week's new treasures:​

 





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