Antique 18thC John Turner Creamware Dutch Decorated Prodigal Son Tavern Plate For Sale

This plate is an exceptionally rare, museum-quality piece of late 18th-century European ceramic history (circa 1780–1800). This multi-lobed, scalloped feather-edge creamware plate was manufactured in Staffordshire, England by the celebrated workshop of John Turner (Lane End). The blank was exported to the Netherlands, where Dutch folk-art artisans meticulously hand-enamelled it with vibrant overglaze polychrome pigments.The Subject & Inscription:
This specific plate depicts a key scene from the famous biblical narrative series: The Prodigal Son in the Tavern / Brothel (often titled “His Joy” or “Vreugde” in full sets). It portrays the son squandering his inheritance, dining and carousing with companions around a table draped in a green cloth. The lower cartouche features the hand-painted sequence text identifier: \"S. Zip: freilig\". The central roundel is beautifully framed by a wide, molded border decorated in traditional Dutch provincial iron-red, ochre, green, and manganese foliate scrolls.Matching examples from this identical Turner-blank series reside in major institutional museums (including the Metropolitan Museum of Art) and are highly sought after by advanced collectors of early English creamware, pearlware, and Delftware.Condition Details:

• Rim & Edges: Beautifully preserved for soft-paste pottery over 220 years old. It features honest, historically expected wear consisting of scattered small glaze flakes and shallow nicks right along the sharp outer points of the molded scalloped rim.
• Glaze & Body: The hand-painted enamel colors remain wonderfully bright and stable. The surface exhibits a tight, uniform network of original clear glaze crazing/craquelure. There are no modern structural cracks, glued breaks, or hidden restorations. The back shows original kiln support/firing marks.

Measurements:

• Diameter: Approximately 9.5 inches (just under 9-5/8\" across)

Worldwide / International Shipping:
We welcome and highly encourage international buyers! This historic item will be shipped globally with professional premium care. Fully insured shipping with signature tracking is provided. Please note: International buyers are responsible for any applicable customs duties or import taxes required by their respective countries.