Antique Majolica Plate with Rose Relief, French, circa 1880 to 1910

A majolica plate, the relief-molded earthenware glazed in colored lead glazes that swept Europe after Minton showed the technique at the 1851 Great Exhibition. The French term is barbotine. The plate is molded in relief and each color is a separate lead glaze hand-applied so it pools thick in the recesses and thins over the high points, which is why the roses read deep rose-pink against the cream ground and the foliage carries two distinct greens.

The motif is a cabbage rose spray with buds and serrated rose foliage, among the most popular majolica patterns of the period. The cream ground and soft pastel palette point to turn-of-century continental production, French, roughly 1880 to 1910.

The allover fine crazing is the lead glaze aging as these glazes do, not damage.

Measures 8 inches in diameter.

Styling: hang it on a wall in a plate grouping, lean it on a shelf or plate rail, or set it under a small arrangement as a charger.

Wear consistent with age.