Chamberlain Worcester 'Armada' plate, the center medallion painted with the "Defeat of the Spanish Armada, 1588", the orange ground, called "Barr's Orange", with gilt hearts, flowers and scrolls.

England c. 1800
7.25" diameter

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Condition: Repaired rim chip at 9:00.

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This intriguing plate made by Chamberlain Worcester is a bit of a mystery. The central scene depicts the British defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. It is copied from a commemorative medal designed by Gerard van Bijlaer (Gerard van Bylaer), who worked in London in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. (See photo.) He produced at least two medals celebrating this momentous event.

Porcelain scholar Goeffrey Godden suggests the plate was made c. 1815-20 but does not offer an explanation as to why this scene appears on a dinner service some 230 years after the event. (1) One plausible explanation, if true, pushes the date closer to 1800.

Elizabeth I was the queen of England when the British defeated the Spanish Armada. This was arguably the most important event of her reign. She died in 1603 and this service could have been made to commemorate the bicentenary of her death. That would push the production back to 1803, consistent with the presence of Barr's Orange which had been developed around 1800. (2) In this context, the hearts symbolize the affection of the British people for their beloved Queen.


(1) Geoffrey A. Godden, "Chamberlian-Worcester Porcelain 1788-1852" (London: Barrie & Jenkins Ltd, 1982), 131.

(2) John Sandon, "The Dictionary of Worcester Porcelain Volume I 1751- 1851" (Woodbridge, Suffolk: The Antique Collector's Club, 1993), 31.