Ridgway Potteries Ltd ‘Homemaker’ Design Tea Plate (7″) (Meakin Production)

This is a stylish tea plate from the ‘Homemaker’ range, designed by Enid Seeney for Ridgway Potteries Ltd and sold exclusively through Woolworths stores.

The tea plate has a slightly upturned rim and is printed with the ‘Homemaker’ print in black, which features adaptations of iconic fifties furnishing designs.

The reverse of the plate is marked with the words ‘HOMEMAKER’ surrounded by small utensils and a houseplant. This motif is encircled by the words ‘RIDGWAY POTTERIES LTD MADE IN STAFFORDSHIRE ENGLAND’. Beneath this, it reads ‘ALL COLOURS GUARANTEED UNDERGLAZE AND DETERGENT PROOF’. This illustrative backstamp was introduced in 1962.

‘Homemaker’ production was initially solely through Ridgway, but after 1960 demand outstripped production, and so additional fabrication was outsourced to Alfred Meakin (Ltd). The earthenware body used by Ridgway has a blue-white tint, whereas the earthenware used by Meakin has an ivory tint. This means that there is a slight difference in the background colour of the plates from the two factories. This plate has an ivory body and therefore was manufactured by the Meakin pottery. Although this is a minor variation, I mention it for those purists who may wish to keep their collection to one specific pottery or earthenware colour.

The plate has a diameter across the rim of 17.9cm.

It has an unwrapped weight of 240g.

It is in very good condition, with no chips or cracks, although there are scratches to the glaze commensurate with age and use. There is also some minor crazing to the glaze (see picture). This wear is reflected in the price.