Empire plate’s value depends on size, but frame steals show
Q: This curious object has been in my family for a number of years. The plate is set in an elaborate wooden frame. The only other information I have is that the back of the plate is faintly marked “Empire Ware England.” I have done a bit of internet research with little success. Any information would be appreciated. A:
The internet is a wonderful convenience, and we use it every day to do research. But we know we need a well-stocked library both to check the accuracy of what we find online and to provide answers to questions that have fallen through the proverbial cracks on the web.
The key here is the mark “Empire Ware England.” This immediately took us to Geoffrey A. Godden’s Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks. We quickly learned the plate was made from earthenware and was the product of the Empire Porcelain Company, Stokeon-Trent, Staffordshire, England.
Yes, we know the word “porcelain” is in the company’s name, but they specialized in making relatively low-end earthenware (pottery), not finer porcelains. The company was founded in 1896 and remained in business until 1967. Their marks often include the words “Empire Works” or “Empire Ware,” but some of their products have the initials “E. P. C.,” along with one or the other of the two phrases and occasionally a crown.
According to Godden, the mark found on the plate in today’s question was used by Empire between 1928 and 1939. The plate itself has a cobalt blue ground with some gold sprigs. In the center is a transfer printed, neoclassical picture of three robed figures, one of which is holding a laurel crown over the head of the central figure.
But the frame that holds the plate is the star of the show. It is also neoclassical in design with a gilt surface and three-dimensional embellishments of shells, foliate scrolls and an oval reserve at the top with hanging tassels in low relief. This is surmounted by a rococo-style bow with trailing ribbons that terminate at the base with a flower garland.
It is a rather busy design, but one decorators might like. We think this particular frame was pressed in a mold to create the designs and was not hand-carved. We cannot see the back of
the frame, so we think we are talking about a piece that was meant solely to be decorative, not an “art” piece.
Guessing the size, we think the Empire “plate” is probably saucer-sized, and if this is the case, the insurance value would be in the $125 to $175 range. But if the Empire insert is larger, the value might jump to the $175 to $225 range.
Helaine Fendelman and
Joe Rosson have written a number of books on antiques. Do you have an item you’d like to know more about? Contact them at Joe Rosson, 2504 Seymour Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917, or email them at treasures@knology.net. If you’d like your question to be considered for their column, include a high-resolution photo of the subject, which must be in focus, with your inquiry.