Mystery Flow Ware. Only clue is a "P" stamp. Old or ambitious fake?

Discussion in 'Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain' started by H Leith, Nov 17, 2022.

  1. H Leith

    H Leith Member

    Hi, all. This 9 & 3/4" plate has been in my family FOREVER. After hours and hours of research, I'm burnt out and have nothing to show for my efforts. (Except an ad on a cutesy web sale site that had less information than I do... Same picture, though.)

    Here are the best pictures I could take. The only things of note are a "P" stamped in the middle of the back, and 3 groupings of 3 marks each on the reverse of the rim (which I think could be from a template, as the pattern repeats 3 times on the front). Please tell me anything you may know to help me figure this one out! flow plate detail c.jpg flow plate whole b.jpg 1117221322d.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    Just blowing up your "P" mark.
    flow plate P stamp.jpg
     
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  3. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    It's not fake. About 1830s or so, Staffordshire made. MArks on the back are where the transfer has bled through the whole plate. Blackberries.
     
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  4. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

  5. H Leith

    H Leith Member

    Thanks, folks! I have been honored to hold such a lovely thing.
     
  6. H Leith

    H Leith Member

    Thank you so much! (I've been staring at it so long that it could be ANYTHING!)
     
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  7. Born2it

    Born2it Well-Known Member

    It made all my grab-it-before-someone-else-does instincts sit up and take notice, but it’s also just very attractive in a cosy sort of way I’m struggling to express.
     
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  8. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    I don't have much to offer. I did look through my lone book of flow blue without seeing it so that was no help.

    I found anther example online that didn't know it or show the back. No help.

    Not finding any P mark that seems likely yet.

    I am wondering if you mean the small divots along the back rim. If so I think those are kiln stilt marks for holding the plate during firing.
     
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  9. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    flow plate P stamp.jpg
    does this help?
     
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  10. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!


    I'm burnt out and have nothing to show for my efforts.

    you do now !!:happy:...:happy:....:playful:
     
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  11. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    I've found a few more examples, most say unmarked, but one smaller plate I think might be the same pattern that also mentions an impressed "P". They are attributing it to Mellor Venables & Co but I have no idea where they got that. (it's hard to tell for sure about the pattern as it would have been manipulated to fit a smaller plate but I "think" it's the same.)

    Anyway, here it is along with a few more unmarked.

    https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-flow-blue-ironstone-1848818883

    upload_2022-11-18_1-31-4.png


    https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/lovely-antique-flow-blue-ironstone-2020597939
    https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1850s-flow-blue-copper-gold-luster-2007429980
    https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-flow-blue-dinner-plate-copper-luster
     
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  12. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Transfers were factory produced by printers and sold to more than one pottery company, so it's not always a clue.
     
  13. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

    True but I've not found a reference saying Mellor used a P mark so I'm skeptical anyway. If it's the same pattern:)
     
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  14. janetpjohn

    janetpjohn Well-Known Member

    It's the same blank, though.
     
    H Leith likes this.
  15. H Leith

    H Leith Member

    OH! Thank you say_it_slowly! Digging into the Mellor reference - one of the partners in Mellor, Venables & Co was "Thomas PINDER," who seems to have left Mellor, Venables & Co and founded Pinder Bourne & Co in 1851. May not be relevant at all, but it was fun digging!
     
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  16. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    I love that part too!
     
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  17. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Pinder Bourne have a long history, went on to be Denby.
     
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