English porcelain plate. Fruit study, by James Rouse jnr., c. 1880.

A fine English porcelain plate, painted by James Rouse jnr. c. 1880. Beautifully painted by this exceptional artist, with a circular panel containing a still life of fruit, and a gilt bronze vase, resting upon a marble ledge. The border with three shaped panels of fruit and flowers, alternating with oval gilt panels of musical instruments, divided by elaborate gilt floral scroll work. All upon an underglaze cobalt blue ground, and within a gilt rim. Signed – J. Rouse. Diameter – 22.5 cm, 8 7/8”. Condition – Excellent. No damage. No restoration. James Rouse jnr. (1834 – 1891) The son of the famous porcelain artist James Rouse Snr. He was an apprentice at the Coalport factory around 1846. He then worked at the Ridgway factory, but by 1881, he was an independent decorator, working on blank porcelain, purchased from many of the famous porcelain factories of the day. He can be regarded as one of the finest porcelain artists of the 19th Century.