Minton ‘Chinese Family’ Pearlware Transfer Printed Saucer, c.1800

A rare Minton blue and white transfer printed saucer featuring a family group with dog in a garden with landscape behind.

The saucer is in good condition with no cracks or chips. There are blue smudges to the base and a tear in the transfer when it was being applied (it is under the glaze so not a scratch).

Mintons was a major company in Staffordshire pottery and "Europe‘s leading ceramic factory during the Victorian era". It was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836), initially producing earthenware. In 1796 he formed a partnership with Joseph Poulson who made bone china. Minton had trained as an engraver for transfer printing with Thomas Turner, so it is not surprising that early pieces are mainly domestic tableware transfer-printed in blue. Early Minton pieces are not marked. However, factory records have survived so pieces can be matched to pattern books.