Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles Transferware Plate Appraisal

Johnson Brothers 'Old Britain Castles' Transferware Plate

This is a decorative ceramic plate, likely made of earthenware or ironstone, featuring a black transferware design on a creamy white ground. The central well depicts a romanticized landscape with a castle, classical architecture, a prominent leafy tree, and two figures dressed in 18th or 19th-century attire. The rim is highly decorative, featuring a scalloped edge with molded rococo-style scrolls, shells, and floral motifs in relief. Interspersed along the rim are four smaller vignettes or cartouches showing different pastoral or architectural scenes. The outer edge is highlighted with a thin black line that follows the scalloped contour. The overall style is characteristic of English transferware from the late 19th to mid-20th century, specifically the 'Old Britain Castles' series by Johnson Brothers, which often featured various landmark castles across Britain. The glaze appears bright and glassy, suggesting it is either a well-preserved antique or a mid-century production. No major chips or cracks are visible from the front, though minor surface scratches and kiln marks on the reverse (not visible here) would be typical for this type of production earthenware.