19th Century Decorative Wall Plate Made by Galloway & Graff Recently Found in the Philadelphia Area

There are a variety of known circa 1870s-1880s decorative painted unglazed red earthenware or terracotta wares that are marked and attributed to the Speese pottery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania today. However, it is probably lesser-known that similar wares were also made at Galloway & Graff in Philadelphia about the same time period, whereas marked wares are probably more difficult to find today. Nonetheless, this decorative painted hanging wall plate was recently discovered in the Philadelphia area and it bears the “Galloway & Graff / Philadelphia” mark on the back.

Additionally, it is unclear to me if the decoration is original to production or if it was created by an early owner, although it is important to note that the butterfly and flower decoration was a popular style among Asian wares during this period. And this popularity also transcended into American culture in the 1800s.

For more information - see an article I wrote for the February 3, 2023 issue of Antiques & Auction News, titled, The Galloway Terra-Cotta Company of Philadelphia: A Brief Examination - http://www.earlyamericanceramics.com/2023/01/new-published-story-galloway-terra.html

19th Century Decorative Wall Plate Made by Galloway & Graff

Circa 1870s Painted Terracotta Wall Plate

Made at Galloway & Graff in Philadelphia

Recently Discovered in the Philadelphia Area

Painted with an Asian Inspired Butterfly and Flower Decoration

Measures 9 1/2" in Diameter

See Article for More Information

A View of the Back

The Back is Marked “Galloway & Graff / Philadelphia”

See Article for More Information

A View of the Mark “Galloway & Graff / Philadelphia”

See Article for More Information

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...