Antique Porcelain Hand-painted Cabinet Plate, Aynsley, C. 18

A beautiful antique bone china hand-painted scenic plate featuring Bassenthwaite Lake, located in the English countryside, made by John Aynsley & Sons of Longton, Staffordshire, around 1888. The scene is signed by the artist, Joseph Birbeck, in the bottom left corner. This plate boasts vibrant colours with a striking cobalt blue and patterned gold border, scalloped edges, and is accented by gold enamel dots along the inside rim. On the reverse, “Bassenthwaite” is handwritten in red, along with the pattern number “2204.” Early Aynsley wares were often unmarked, and British collectors refer to this type of plate as a “Named View.” The pattern number aligns with Aynsley’s numbering system.
The plate was exquisitely hand-painted by Joseph Birbeck Junior, a highly regarded porcelain painter from a renowned family of porcelain decorators. Birbeck was born in Coalport, Shropshire, in 1855, and apprenticed at the Coalport factory, where he eventually became master of the painting shop. His work, especially his landscapes, was inspired by artists like Turner. Throughout his career, he worked at Copeland, Brown Westhead & Moore, Aynsley, and eventually Royal Doulton from 1900 to 1926. His father, Joseph Birbeck Senior, was also a well-known porcelain painter, active in various factories during the 1840s. The Birbeck family was among the leading English porcelain artists of their era, and their works are prized by collectors worldwide.
Aynsley China Ltd. was founded in 1775 by John Aynsley in Lane End, Longton, Staffordshire. In 1861, John Aynsley's grandson built the Portland Works, which helped the company thrive and become a key player in the ceramics industry. Known for its high-quality bone china and distinctive floral and bird designs, Aynsley was a favourite of British royalty. Both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana chose Aynsley china as wedding gifts, and the company was granted a royal warrant by Queen Elizabeth II in 1955.
In May 1997, Aynsley China was acquired by The Belleek Pottery Group in Ireland. Though its Stoke-on-Trent factory closed in 2014, Aynsley products continue to be produced under license by various companies worldwide.
Dimensions: Diameter 23.9 cm.
Condition: Minor scuffing of the gilding along the edge of the plate and around the frame of the painted scene. Otherwise, it is in excellent antique condition.
Please examine the attached photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Please note that shipping costs include labour, packaging, and postage.