Minton Pâte-sur-pâte plate with cherub

Minton - c.1890 - signed AB for Alboin Birks
 
This stunning Minton pâte-sur-pâte plate made for Thomas Goode & Co. is a wonderful example of a technique that became synonymous with Minton. Here, Alboin Birks, who trained under the master of the technique Marc-Louis Solon, makes the pâte-sur-pâte panel look like it is exploding through the centre of the plate. This particular style is very much in the manner of Solon and dates from Birks' early career at Minton.
 
This is a very difficult effect to achieve in view of the techniques involved, pâte-sur-pâte requires the multi-layering of liquid clay slip onto a Parian plaque that is then applied to the bone china plate. The layers must then be tooled and glazed resulting in a translucent finish, just like a cameo.
The plate is then finished with a combination of raised paste and acid etched gilding, both techniques of gold application that were perfected at Minton in the mid-19th century.
 
Condition: Perfect