A documentary Liverpool delftware plate dated 1750

A documentary Liverpool delftware plate dated 1750, the front painted in blue with a bold peony flower before bamboo issuing from rockwork, the rim with tied scrolls between diaper panels, the reverse inscribed 'Richard Bury of Royley in the Township of Wrighton, 1750', 22.2cm.

In 1887-1889 The Oldham Standard published the diary of William Rowbottom, a handloom weaver of Burnley Lane, which includes the following entry - "Mr Richard Bury of Royley, buried 6th June 1790", and the burial register of St Paul's in Royton confirms the burial of Richard Bury, aged 75. The baptism of his daughter, Betty, is recorded in 1755, Jenny in 1758, Mary in 1760, John in 1763 and Hannah in 1767. In 1780 his son, John Bury, was articled as a Clerk to John Ogden. His widow, Hannah, was buried on 26th February 1795 and son, John, died aged 43 the following year.

Cf. Louis L Lipski and Michael Archer, Dated English Delftware, pp.122-123 for similar examples from this group of named and dated delftwares. The names on the plates appear to be those of landowners in the Oldham and Bury areas of Lancashire, who are possibly connected to the coal-mining industry and the mines of James Lees (later the Chamber Colliery Company). Both Richard Bury and John Wallwork are mentioned in the Quarter Sessions at Rochdale on 3rd October 1757 for non repair of a stretch of the Kings Highway, leading to the sluice carrying water to the coal pits, and John Wallwork is recorded as marrying Ruth Lees in 1748, believed to be a relation of the aforementioned James Lees.