Watcombe Torquay Terracotta Plaque – Hand-painted Love Scene, 19th Century Regular

A rare hand-painted Watcombe treasure — romance and craftsmanship immortalised in terracotta. An exceptionally rare Watcombe Torquay Terracotta Plaque, hand-painted and inscribed on the reverse “Heaven’s Gate by Gertrude House – June 1887”. This places the piece firmly in the late 19th century and links it to the individual hand of its decorator, making it a true one-of-a-kind artwork. The plaque, 29.5 cm in diameter, depicts a romantic courting couple in a tender embrace, beautifully set against a dusky woodland backdrop. The warm tones of terracotta enhance the delicate brushwork, while the gentle wear of age reveals its history and authenticity. Condition: Commensurate with age, with areas of surface wear that enrich its antique character. A rarely seen collector’s piece, uniting the romance of its subject with the heritage of Watcombe craftsmanship. ㈖ Provenance Note The reverse bears the impressed WATCOMBE pottery mark alongside a handwritten inscription reading: “Heaven’s Gate by Gertrude House – June 1887”. This rare dated annotation not only situates the piece within the celebrated late-Victorian period of Watcombe production, but also attributes its decoration to the hand of an individual artisan, enhancing both its historical and collector’s value.