A Scarce Early Manufactured Love Flat-Rim Pewter Plate - SOLD

The “Love” mark was used by a number of different pewterers over a period of many years, this flat-rim example is one of a very few known examples dating from the earliest use of this touch. This touch likely originates circa 1750’s in Philadelphia, and is known to have been used into the first quarter of the 19th century.

The early features of this plate are as follows: First there are 3 strikes of the “Love bird” touch along with a single strike of the crowned X. Note that the pattern of 3 strikes is found on flat-rim plates by “DS”. The “DS” plates are of a different size than this plate. A more telling aspect to early manufacture is the turned “flats” or “guide lines” turned into the bouge on the back of the plate. These were either done as a guide for potential hammering or perhaps just to mimic the look of rows of hammering. Very few examples of “Love” plates exist with multiple touches and “turned flats”.

This plate is 8 3/8” in diameter, the touches are very fine. The face surface of the plate does have some light porosity and the back is fine. A fine addition to any collection of 18th century flatware.