Rye Pottery Sgraffito Plate — Botanical Dandelion, 28cm, circa 1950s

An ideal piece for interior designers seeking a bold decorative accent in an eclectic or mid-century setting, collectors of British studio pottery, and film or TV prop buyers sourcing period-accurate 1950s English domestic ware.

A deep forest-green glaze meets hand-incised botanical line work in this striking large plate from Rye Pottery — one of the great design success stories of post-war British studio craft. The sgraffito technique, for which Rye became particularly celebrated from the mid-1950s, involves applying colour over the glaze and scratching through to reveal the white beneath — creating a drawn quality that feels closer to illustration than ceramics.

Object: Decorative plate / charger

Material: Earthenware, deep forest-green mottled glaze, sgraffito decoration

Style: Mid-Century Modern, British Studio Pottery

Era: circa 1950s

Origin: Rye Pottery, Rye, East Sussex, England

Key features: Hand-incised botanical composition of dandelion seed heads and wild grasses. Footed base with four small feet. Circular blue printed Rye Pottery mark to reverse.

Dimensions: H 3.5cm × W 28cm diameter (H 1.4" × W 11") 

Condition

In very good vintage condition, consistent with age and use. Light crazing to glaze consistent with age and firing. Three small unglazed finger marks visible to the rim — characteristic of Rye Pottery's hand-glazing process, where the potter holds the piece by hand during dipping; these are a mark of the hand-made process, not damage. No chips, no cracks, no repairs, no restoration. Structurally sound.

Photographs form part of this description. Please review all images carefully as they document the piece's condition in full detail.

Curator's Note

Selected for the exceptional quality of its sgraffito line work and its rare scale. The botanical motif — dandelion seed heads caught mid-dispersal — has a quiet energy that sits beautifully in a curated eclectic interior or as a counterpoint in a more minimal modern setting. A collector's piece and an artist's piece in equal measure.

FAQ

What is the condition of this piece? This piece is in very good vintage condition, consistent with age and use. Light crazing to glaze consistent with age and firing. No chips, no cracks, no repairs, no restoration. Photographs form part of this description — please review all images carefully.

What are the exact dimensions? W 28cm diameter (W 11"). Footed base raises the plate slightly.

Where does this piece come from? This piece originates from Rye Pottery, Rye, East Sussex, England, circa 1950s. Rye Pottery was founded in 1947 by brothers John and Walter Cole and became celebrated for its sgraffito wares from the mid-1950s. Maker confirmed by original printed pottery mark to reverse.

Do you ship internationally? Yes — Fontaine London ships worldwide. Prices shown include duties and taxes for your country (DDP — Delivered Duty Paid), so there are no surprise charges on delivery. Shipping cost is calculated at checkout.

Is this piece suitable for film or TV prop use? Yes — this piece is period-accurate for 1950s English domestic interiors and is available for prop hire enquiries. 

What is your returns policy? We offer a 14-day return policy for items that do not match their description. As all pieces are one-of-a-kind vintage items, we ask buyers to review all photographs and the condition report carefully before purchasing. Photographs form part of the item description.