Molyneaux Family Armorial Soup Plate

• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Feldspar (glaze on Porcelain) - A feldspar glaze on porcelain is made from feldspar, a mineral that when melted and mixed with other ingredients creates a glossy, glass-like coating. When applied to porcelain, the feldspar glaze provides a hard, durable and protective surface that is resistant to wear, staining and other forms of damage. Additionally, feldspar glazes can also enhance the appearance of porcelain by creating a smooth, even surface with a range of colours and finishes.
• Armorial / Armourial - Bearing a coat of arms. Coats of arms came into general use by feudal lords and knights in in the 12th century, and by the 13th century, arms had spread beyond their initial battlefield use to become a flag or emblem for families in the higher social classes of Europe. They were inherited from one generation to the next. When a family crest is used on individual items of silver or furniture it is an indicator of the aristocratic standing of the family represented.
  
  Armorials were also used to decorate mass produced ceramic souvenir ware by such companies as Goss, Carlton & Shelley, and in these cases the coats of arms displayed were of boroughs and cities.
• Gadrooning - A series of lobes usually as a border. In furniture gadrooning is found as carved decoration around the edges of table tops in the Chippendale and Jacobean style furniture. Gadrooning is also found as decoration on the rims of silver and ceramics.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Copeland Spode (England), item types
  • plates 181
  • plates and platters 224