Antique Staffordshire Platter, Ridgeway Heritage St. John and Portland

A remarkable example of 19th-century English pottery, this Ridgway Staffordshire platter from the Heritage pattern series captures the romance of early Canadian landscapes. The multi-color transfer-printed design features a central well depicting St. John and Portland, drawn from William Henry Bartlett's celebrated "Scenes of Early Canada" engravings. The scalloped oval form is framed by a molded gadrooned rim, while the expansive border showcases a lush botanical composition of maple and oak leaves, acorns, wheat stalks, and berries in rich greens, browns, reds, and blues. The reverse bears the maker's mark identifying it as genuine Ridgway pottery, established 1792 in Staffordshire, England. A distinguished collector's piece that speaks to the artistry and historical significance of mid-19th-century English tableware.