FOREWORD:
Even to this day, classic J & G Meakin is often found in antique shops although the earlier Meakin is becoming more difficult to find, especially in good condition.
Now, that's the "ordinary" J & G Meakin I am talking about but then there are their "extraordinary" tablewares ... this is one of those.
Not only is this a delightfully decorated "Canterbury" cake plate but the handle is Silver Plate AND that top Green handle is bakelite ... these two items are something not seen very often any longer - beware of third party replacement handles usually made of Chromed metal!
Classy, classic J&G Meakin chinaware
DLAT Rating: 9/10 (Darling!, Look At This!)
J & G MEAKIN Cake Serving Plate (with carry handle) ONLY
Circa 1912 ~ 1930's
We cannot put a specific year of manufacture for this side or cake plate but estimate it to be between 1912 (when the SOL trademark was first registered) until the late 1930's
These "Canterbury" J & G Meakin pieces of fine china were part of an extended family estate that we acquired and have kept "in care" for many years but in recent times my wife has been "releasing to the world" bits and pieces when she needs more display cabinet space for her new acquisitions.
Pattern: Canterbury
Was originally part of a very large, complete dining tableware set
Square shape with light edge scalloping and "rounded corners"
Cream background colouring
NO Gold gilding has been used on this plate, instead the rim has dark Green linework.
The decoration is skillfully hand painted, the main feature being the famous Canterbury Cathedral which is a very popular tourist destination where there are even facilities to stay over at the Cathedral Lodge. Steeped in history and captured by J & G Meakin on this cake plate. Secondary artworks are of the proverbial brightly coloured flowers and the thatched roof cottage near the Cathedral.
BACKSTAMP DETAILS:
This is a photograph of THIS plate, not a copy cut//pasted from elsewhere!
Note the COLOUR graphics near the primary SOL backstamp
Notice the small Orange "dab" right across to the top right area? That is the artist's mark
DIMENSIONS:
210mm x 210mm square (rounded corners)
105mm height x 6mm diameter Silver electroplated shaft
45mm x 11mm diameter Green bakelite handle
WEIGHT: 350g
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
NO cracks
NO chips
NO art decorative degradation, meaning no scratching nor colour fading.
NO crazing observed (both dry and wet checked) - this is actually quite unusual because crazing (cracking of the topmost glaze) is common in older chinaware, its an age/environment thing!
Not all is perfect! There are two small fleabites on the underside though.
Silver plated handle shaft is a very good condition, without any plating damage that could be seen.
NOTE: This is Ag plated, not Chrome! Tested and confirmed using Ammonia Hydroxide which when it comes into contact with Silver, produces Silver Oxide of a tell-tale Black colour.
Top Green handle, which is threaded and screws onto the shaft, is definitely bakelite not a modern plastic. Bakelite came into use in the very early 1900's, the precursor to modern plastic technology. The Green colouring is throughout the bakelite, not just painted on. Confirmation of the bakelite material was done using the "rub test" which had two results, a formaldehyde odour and a Yellow/Brown deposit on the rubbing cloth.
Additionally, when view extremely closely (under magnification) I can see the characteristic "crack lines" in the bakelite, very similar to the crazing effect with chinaware. I looked closely because I wanted to make absolutely sure this was not animal bone, it is not.
These two additions (the Silver plate shaft & top handle) make this cake plate quite out of the ordinary for a J & G Meakin product
I dismantled the handle and shaft from the plate for the photographs of each piece and I have now packed the three separate pieces individually within sealed clear plastic packets.
Assembly by the proud new owner is very simple as the shaft simply fits into the central hole of the plate, secured by a screw on the underside and the top handle also screws onto the shaft - job done, load her up with slices of delicious cakes and impress your visitors!
