Tuscan was the trading name/mark used by RH & SL Plant, operating out of the Tuscan Works in Longton.
Operations began in 1898 and in 1966 the company was acquired by Wedgwood and although the operations continued, they were now part of the Wedgwood Group.
Outstanding fine china side plate, quite unusual for the time period it was made (early 1900's) as the English pottery designs were dominated by very conservative patterns often incorporating flowers or subdued colouring. This design is for the modernist of the day (the "hip set"), we are talking pre-WWI, pre-Art Deco in the early 1900's.
The design is very contemporary, bold and yet still remains elegant. Even in our modern times, we used these Tuscan Blue's for a bit of fun with High Tea because they look classy and yet not "old fashioned" - the Blue fits into just about any colour theme too!
DLAT RATING (Darling, look at this!) 7/10
RH & SL Plant (TUSCAN) Side Plate
1902 ~ 1910 estimated (based on the backstamp)
Semi translucent china/porcelain ware (you can see your fingers through the sides if held to the light)
Base is pure White
This pattern is identical to the other Tuscan Blue chinaware pieces I have on offer
Solid Sky Blue overall colouring with no additional pattern, this Sky Blue appears to be a coating or layer.
Gold gilding applied to the rim and inner white base circumference.
The green printed (under glaze) backstamp reads:
TUSCAN CHINA
(Wings pattern)
ENGLAND
COSMETIC CONDITION:
As I have multiple side plates and these are over 100 years old, each has been carefully checked and I have found all of the side plates to be in almost identical condition - very good.
Clean white base colouring china
NO chips
NO fleabites
NO cracks
Colouring is not so consistent however and the Sky Blue has a couple of tiny little White spots where the Sky Blue outer colouring has been "knocked" showing the white base china colouring underneath. Something like a "colour chip" - the china is NOT chipped though! Each saucer is the same, just the White spots (only a couple) are in different areas of each saucer.
Gold gilding top rim and centre area are both in excellent condition with very little (if any) handling wear showing.
