English China Plate Appraisal

Grindley England "Canton" Hercules Vitrified Dinner Plate

The item is a white ceramic plate, specifically the back (underside) is visible. It has a slightly concave shape typical of dinner plates, with a raised outer rim. The material appears to be a type of vitrified ceramic, likely porcelain or ironstone, given the 'VITRIFIED' marking, which indicates a very durable, non-porous finish. The predominant color of the plate itself is off-white or cream. Several distinguishing marks are visible, all printed in a dark green color. At the top, within a rectangular border, there is an illustration of a sailing ship, above the words 'GRINDLEY ENGLAND'. Below this, enclosed in another rectangular border, is 'HERCULES VITRIFIED'. Further down, the pattern name '"CANTON"' is prominently displayed in quotes. Finally, at the bottom, within yet another rectangular outline, are the words 'PERMANENT COLOURS'. These markings collectively identify the manufacturer, the material, the specific pattern, and a characteristic of the applied decoration. In terms of condition, the plate appears to be generally clean with some minor surface inconsistencies. There are a few small dark specks, possibly residue or small chips in the glaze, visible towards the bottom right. There is also a faint blue or green numeral '651' or '851' written directly on the ceramic surface, likely an inventory or production mark. The overall impression is one of use but not significant damage. The 'Grindley England' mark suggests a British origin, and the 'Hercules Vitrified' and 'Permanent Colours' indicate a robust, long-lasting product, typical of mid-20th century dinnerware designed for everyday use. While no precise date is stated, the style of the backstamp and manufacturing terms points to a production period likely from the mid-1900s, possibly 1930s-1970s. The quality indicates a mass-produced item rather than high-end artisan work, but the vitrified nature points to good craftsmanship for its intended purpose.