Signed Ceramic Plate
Ceramic, functional/decorative studio pottery • Donnan (Signed on reverse). Likely a regional studio potter or artisan active in the late 20th century.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Studio Pottery / Craft Movement.
Medium & Technique
Glazed ceramic, likely stoneware or earthenware; hand-thrown or mold-formed with an underglaze or glaze-slip signature applied by hand.
Creation Period
1991 (indicated by the numerical suffix '91' following the signature).
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 8 to 12 inches in diameter; circular format.
Subject Description
The reverse of a circular ceramic plate featuring a raised foot rim. The glaze is a creamy off-white with some minor blue pigment transfers or smudges visible near the lower right of the center. The signature 'Donnan 91' is written in a fluid, cursive script.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The item shows significant structural damage including a large chip/loss on the foot rim and several smaller nicks along the edge.
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $75 USD (Value is limited due to the damage on the foot rim and the unidentified nature of the artisan).
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50 USD (Likely sold as part of a decorative or household lot).
Provenance History
Unknown; personal collection. The inscription indicates an individual artisan production from 1991.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the late 20th-century proliferation of independent studio ceramics in North America and Europe, where individual potters moved away from industrial production toward signed, unique, or small-batch pieces.
Notable Features
Distinctive clear hand-signature 'Donnan 91' which provides a definitive date and artist attribution for further genealogical or regional craft research.
Condition Issues
Significant loss (chipping) on the raised foot rim exposing the porous ceramic body; minor scuffing and glaze imperfections; blue pigment smudging on the reverse.
Conservation Recommendations
Sanding the sharp edges of the chip to prevent scratching surfaces; professional ceramic restoration is likely not cost-effective, but the piece should be handled with care to prevent further breakage.