Ridgway Victorian Porcelain Armorial dinner plate - ornately gilded pale green and lemon lip & crested pattern number 6 over 3459 - antique circa 1853

An ornate, highly decorative, antique porcelain (bone china) armorial dinner plate dating from the Victorian period of the mid 19th century. It was made by John Ridgway and Co. of the Cauldon Place China Works, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire in England circa 1850 -1855. It has lobed rim with a pale green ground on the lip, which has eight ornately gilded ovoid shaped pale lemon cartouches with a gilded inverted fleur de lys at their bases. Between each ornate cartouche there are gilded leaf and stem scrolls. There is a lightly ribbed and stepped cheek or cavetto.

The centre or well of the plate, which has been reserved in white, has a very finely hand painted armorial shield and crest. The shield has a burnished gilded edge with three fleur de lys on a gold ground. The crest has a torse or wreath in gold and silver surmounted by a stag (trippant). Below the shield there is a puce ribbon with the gilded motto - "L' Union de Fortitude et Veracite". We have so far been unable to identify the crest, it may possibly be a private club or association with French or Scottish links. 

The underside of the plate is marked in enamel with pattern number 6 over 3459 in red cursive script.

It measures 9 1/2 inches (24 cm) in diameter and stands 1 inch (2.5 cm) high. It  weighs 512 grammes unpacked. It is in very good antique condition with some wear to the gilding particularly the lighter gold on the centre of the shield and the right hand edge of the rim - from serving.  Some marks and scratches from use. No chips, cracks nor restoration.

This is a great piece to add to any collection of antique armorials, antique English bone china porcelain plates, John Ridgway & Co. dinner plates or Cauldon Place items.