Description
Martin Boyd Australian Pottery Portrait Wall Plate
This distinctive vintage Australian pottery plate was produced by Martin Boyd Pottery and dates from approximately the 1950s.
The small round plate features a powerfully rendered profile portrait of an Aboriginal man, decorated in black, cream and brown against a rich ochre-coloured ground. Fine linear detailing defines the sitter’s beard, hair, facial features and clothing, while the visible throwing rings beneath the glaze provide texture and movement.
Despite its compact 13.5 cm diameter, the plate has considerable visual presence and would make an excellent addition to a collection of Australian studio pottery, postwar decorative arts or Martin Boyd ceramics.
The reverse is hand-incised:
Martin Boyd
Australia
An older wire hanging fitting remains attached, indicating that the plate has previously been displayed as a decorative wall plaque.
Martin Boyd Pottery is known for mid-century Australian ceramics decorated with native flora, fauna, landscapes and stylised Aboriginal subjects. Such imagery reflected the postwar search for an identifiably Australian decorative style, although today these historical representations are also understood within the broader cultural attitudes of their period.
Product Details
- Maker: Martin Boyd Pottery
- Country of origin: Australia
- Approximate period: 1950s
- Material: Glazed ceramic
- Type: Decorative wall plate
- Decoration: Hand-decorated figurative portrait
- Colour: Ochre, black and cream
- Diameter: Approximately 13.5 cm
- Depth: Approximately 1.8 cm
- Weight: Approximately 156 g
- Mark: Incised Martin Boyd Australia
- Display fitting: Older wire hanging fitting attached
Condition
The plate is presented in vintage condition with age-related crazing visible principally on the reverse. There are minor surface marks and handling wear consistent with age. The incised maker’s mark remains visible and the older hanging wire is still attached.
Please review the photographs carefully, as they form part of the product description and condition report.
Curatorial Note
This compact portrait plate is particularly successful within the Martin Boyd range because of its strong graphic composition. The warm ochre ground, concentrated profile and fine cream linework give the piece greater visual impact than many small souvenir-format plates from the same period.
Postage
Complimentary tracked postage within Australia is included in the listed price.
The plate will be carefully wrapped and securely boxed for delivery. Combined postage arrangements may be available where multiple items can be packed together safely.
Learn More About Martin Boyd Pottery
Discover the history of Martin Boyd Pottery, its connection with Guy and David Boyd, workshop signatures, decorative styles and practical advice for collectors.
👉 Read our Martin Boyd Pottery History and Collecting Guide
👉Explore More Martin Boyd Pottery →
👉Explore More Boyd Dynasty →
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Emporium offers an evolving collection of vintage, collectable and decorative items sourced throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria. Each item is individually photographed and described, with care taken to accurately represent its condition.
