AN ENGLISH DELFT ROYAL PORTRAIT CHARGER OF CATHERINE OF BRAGANZA

At least five pieces exist with this portrait and only three are inscribed 'KR' (Katherine Regina)-- these include the present example and two other dishes dated 1682. For one of these other dated examples, formerly in the Glaisher Collection, see M. Archer, Delftware in the Fitzwilliam Museum, London, 2013, p. 7, no. A.4. Archer notes that the central portrait is likely based on a painting of the Queen by Dirk Stoop, now in the National Portrait Gallery, and made into an engraving by William Gaithorne. The unusual grape clusters on the border of this dish matched excavated shards associated with Bristol's Temple Backs and Limekiln Lane Potteries, both potteries however were operating after 1681.