Large English Salt Glaze Stoneware Charger 18th Century Ca. 1765

This large English salt glaze stoneware charger, made circa 1765, shows the Cartouche and Diaper pattern at its most precise and architectural. The wide rim is crisply molded with a repeating diaper lattice, each diamond enclosing a small star motif, while shaped cartouches interrupt the pattern at regular intervals, giving the border rhythm and structure. The surface carries the characteristic soft sheen of salt glaze, with a fine orange peel texture that catches the light across the relief. The pale, refined body reflects the mid-18th century development of English salt glaze, when the addition of calcined flint produced a whiter, cleaner tone than earlier wares. This technical refinement allowed potters to achieve a more controlled and visually refined surface, aligning the material with the growing preference for lighter, more elegant tableware. Salt-glazed stoneware of this type was widely used in both English and American Colonial households. Documentary records show that George Washington ordered similar wares through his Bristol agent Thomas Knox in the 1750s, underscoring the role of English salt-glaze ceramics in American Colonial daily use. Archaeological finds in Williamsburg also confirm the presence of this Cartouche and Diaper pattern in 18th-century American homes, reinforcing its place within transatlantic trade and domestic life. The design belongs to the mid-Georgian period, generally dated from about 1740 to 1760, when English decorative arts favored order, repetition, and controlled ornament grounded in classical proportion. The condition remains notably clean for a piece of this size and date, with only minor original kiln effects visible on close inspection. The molding remains sharp throughout, which is essential for this pattern and increasingly difficult to find at this scale. Reference: See Salt-Glazed Stoneware in Early America by J. E. Skerry and S. Findlen Hood, p. 140; also pp. 233 and 136 for related examples. Dimensions: 16.5″ diameter x 1.25″ height Condition: Excellent, with only very minor original kiln effects Price: Decoration: Molded Cartouche and Diaper lattice border with star motifs Material: Salt Glaze Stoneware Style: Mid-Georgian Origin: England Date: Circa 1765 Notable Details: Large-scale example, uncommon at 16.5 inches Crisp, well-preserved molding across entire rim Classic Cartouche and Diaper pattern with strong geometric clarity Fine pale body showing early use of calcined flint Surface retains characteristic soft sheen and orange peel texture Documented pattern found in Colonial Williamsburg excavations