Maling pottery plate, Pattern No. 5978, 1934 (earthenware)

Maling pottery plate, Pattern No. 5978, pink thumbprint ground gold printed and enamelled 'Stork' pattern. Impressed ref. no. 834. C.T. Maling and Sons is one of the most famous Tyneside potteries, making domestic, commercial and decorative pottery for over 100 years until it finally closed in 1963.This large and impressive plate was designed by Lucien Emile Boullemier, who worked for the firm between 1926 and 1936. It is lavishly decorated with a gold-printed and enamelled pattern, which was characteristic of Boullemier's style. The hand-painted 'waved' background was made using short freehand brush strokes. This design shows the influence of Oriental art, especially from Japan.