Melon Plate Appraisal

Westminster Fine China Decorative Plate 'Two Boys Eating Grapes and Melon'

This is a decorative ceramic plate, likely made of fine china, featuring a detailed transfer print depicting two young boys engaged in eating fruit. The plate has a classic round shape with a white rim, possibly with subtle fluting or a raised edge, though this is not clearly visible in the provided image. The central image is a vibrant, multi-colored rendition of what appears to be a genre scene. One boy, dressed in a loose white top and brown breeches, is shown with his head tilted back, actively eating purple grapes directly from a bunch held above his mouth. To his left, a woven basket overflows with both purple and green grapes, suggesting a harvest or abundance. The second boy, dressed in a greenish-brown tunic and similar brown breeches, sits beside him, holding and eating slices of a light-colored melon or similar fruit, possibly cantaloupe or honeydew. Both boys are barefoot, and their clothing appears somewhat tattered, consistent with a rustic or commoner depiction often found in 17th-century Dutch or Italian genre painting, or reproductions thereof. The background is a muted, warm brown, creating a depth effect. Scattered around the boys are pieces of melon rind or fallen fruit, adding to the naturalistic scene. The artistic style suggests a classical oil painting, with rich colors and chiaroscuro effects to highlight the figures. The 'Westminster Fine China' context provided indicates its manufacturer and material. There are no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear on the depicted surface, suggesting it is in good, possibly excellent, condition. The craftsmanship appears to be of good quality, typical of decorative collector plates. It is likely a reproduction of a famous artwork, although the original artist is not identified from the image alone. The plate's estimated age would be late 20th century to early 21st century, given the common production period for such collector plates.