Meissen Porcelain Square Dish, Watteau Scenes And Black Ground, C.1850 1870
Buckland, United Kingdom
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Easy returns (14 days)
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Free return if the item isn't as described
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Buyer protection
Damage is rare, and you're fully protected if it happens.
Dimensions
Wear Condition
Excellent
Material
Porcelain
Style
Antique
Product Details
Description
An exceptional antique German porcelain square dish, produced by the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory in Saxony, circa 1850-1870. The dish has an elegant shaped square form with gently raised sides and projecting rounded corners, richly decorated with elaborate hand-painted ornament and gilding.
The surface is arranged with quatrefoil reserves surrounding a central black-ground floral panel, creating a highly structured and symmetrical composition. Two opposing white reserves are finely painted with fête galante scenes after Antoine Watteau, depicting elegantly dressed couples in romantic parkland settings, while the contrasting black-ground fields are decorated with colourful hand-painted flower bouquets. The decorative fields are divided by broad gilt ornamental bands with scrolling foliage and stylised motifs. The exterior of the dish is additionally hand-painted with scattered polychrome floral sprays.
The underside bears the authentic underglaze cobalt-blue Meissen crossed swords mark with two factory wheel-cut cancellation lines, together with the impressed pattern number 15 and technical production number 3. The two cancellation lines indicate that the dish was classified by Meissen between 1852 and 1870 as tableware that did not meet the manufactory's highest quality standard. The most evident manufacturing irregularity is the small raised kiln-related deposit on the underside, caused during firing and deliberately left rather than ground completely flush. The dish was nevertheless finished with exceptionally elaborate and costly decoration, including Watteau scenes, black-ground floral painting and extensive gilding, indicating that the firing irregularity was not considered significant enough to compromise the piece as a highly decorated Meissen product.
The dish belongs to the so-called Pommel period of Meissen production, beginning around 1850. During this period, the manufactory revived celebrated 18th-century forms and decorative traditions with the technical precision and rich palette characteristic of 19th-century Meissen. The period takes its name from the distinctive crossed-swords mark with pronounced rounded pommels at the sword hilts. The present dish, with its dramatic black-ground decoration, elaborate gilding and Watteau scenes, is a fine example of this historicist taste.
Dimensions: 21 × 21 cm; height 3.8 cm; weight 548 g. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Shipping costs include handling, packaging and postage.
Condition report:
Condition: minor wear to the gilding and a small chip to one corner. Otherwise in excellent antique condition. Please study the accompanying photographs carefully as they form an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them
Wear Condition
Excellent
Cancellations
We offer free cancellations and full refund for orders cancelled before dispatching. View full policy.
Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for all orders within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Additional Delivery Info from Seller
Estimated delivery time
Less than one week
Free collection available
Yes
Made to Last
The average lifespan of a Vinterior piece is 100 years, while modern flat-pack typically takes just 3 years to reach landfill. When you choose pre-loved, you can shop with confidence in quality, craftsmanship and longevity. With our top-rated customer service team, there's no better way to shop pre-loved.
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Reviews
5.0
Based on 4 reviews
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 12/02/2026
Clear, predictable protection for every pre-loved purchase.
Simple £75 flat return fee for UK-to-UK mainland furniture when you change your mind.
Applies to furniture with a final selling price of up to £5,000 (excluding delivery and service fees) and delivered from a UK mainland seller to mainland UK addresses. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
Buying vintage should feel inspiring, not uncertain.
Every order on Vinterior is backed by straightforward returns, free cancellations, and extra peace of mind for UK furniture purchases.
1. Free cancellations
Changed your mind before dispatch?
You can cancel any order before it's shipped for a full refund, including delivery.
To cancel an order, click Create cancellation on the order page.
Once an item has been dispatched, delivery costs are not refundable.
Bespoke, personalised or made-to-order pieces cannot be cancelled.
2. Returning an item
You have 14 days from delivery to request a return.
There are two return types:
A. The item isn't as described (free return)
If your piece arrives and it doesn't match the listing in any material way (incorrect description, undisclosed damage, inaccurate measurements, misleading photos), you are fully protected:
- Free return
- The seller or Vinterior arranges pickup
- Full refund, including outbound delivery costs once the seller receives the item
This applies to all purchases.
B. You changed your mind
UK-to-UK furniture deliveries:
To make UK furniture returns predictable and stress-free, we offer a simple flat return fee of £75.
- Applies to furniture delivered from a UK mainland seller to a mainland UK address. Excludes Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Scottish Highlands & Islands, Isle of Wight and Isles of Scilly.
- Pickup arranged for you
- One clear fee, no surprises
We coordinate the return with either the seller's chosen courier or our trusted delivery partner.
All other items
Most smaller items are straightforward to return.
You can still return your item within 14 days.
- For smaller or parcel-sized items, you can choose to post the item back yourself using a tracked service, or the seller can suggest a preferred courier.
- For larger or more fragile pieces, the seller may recommend the safest return method.
- Return delivery costs vary depending on size and courier.
The seller will confirm the best option based on the item.
3. If your item arrives damaged
Damage on arrival is uncommon, especially for UK furniture deliveries.
But if something does go wrong, you're fully protected.
- Let us know as soon as possible (ideally within 72 hours of delivery) so we can resolve things quickly
- Share photos so we understand what happened
- We’ll help arrange a return and refund if needed
You’re always protected when something goes wrong in transit.
Your statutory rights apply for up to 30 days from delivery.
4. What can't be returned
Some items cannot be returned:
- Bespoke, personalised, or made-to-order pieces
- Items altered after delivery
5. How to start a return
- Log in to your Vinterior account
- Open your order
- Click Create a return
- Add notes + photos if relevant
We'll guide you through the rest.
6. What happens next
- We review your request, confirm the return and advise on next steps
- Pickup or return method is arranged
- The item is returned to the seller
- We issue your refund once the seller confirms the item's condition
Returns are completed smoothly once the pickup is arranged.
7. Refunds
Once the seller receives the piece back in the same condition it was sent, we'll issue your refund to your original payment method.
Once a refund is issued, it may take up to 5–10 working days for the funds to appear back on your original payment method, depending on your bank or card provider.
If the item is returned with new damage that wasn't present at delivery, the refund may be adjusted following review.
Need help?
If you have questions about a return or your order, our support team is here to help. Email us at [email protected] or find other ways to contact us here.
What your service fee covers
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14-day return guarantee
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Flat-fee return shipping on UK furniture
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Seller vetting
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Dedicated customer support
| Order Value (£) | Fee (£) |
|---|---|
| 0 — 49.99 | 2.75 |
| 50 — 99.99 | 5.50 |
| 100 — 199.99 | 11.00 |
| 200 — 399.99 | 21.00 |
| 400 — 599.99 | 30.00 |
| 600 — 799.99 | 40.00 |
| 800 — 999.99 | 50.00 |
| 1,000 — 1,499.99 | 55.00 |
| 1,500 — 1,999.99 | 60.00 |
| 2,000 — 4,999.99 | 82.50 |
| 5,000+ | 110.00 |
Added at checkout, based on your basket total.
