Hi Jonathan, Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. In the 19th Century, it was common for women and school girls to learn to paint pottery by getting blank unfired bisque pottery forms from a local potter and painting them; they would then take them back to the potter to be glazed and fired. Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is: Two hand-painted porcelain plates American, 19th Century Each of circular section inset within ebonized wood frames, one depicting a mature woman in a white mobcap and shawl collar, the other depicting a younger woman with a white mobcap with pink ribbon and a floral dress with standing lace collar. One signed on the back "Laurie H. Peacock / 1880" each plate 9 inches, inset within 11-inch ebonized wood frames. CONDITION: appears to be in good condition; value assumes no chips, breaks, repairs or losses. PROVENANCE: inherited $50-75 each or $100-150 for the pair* *represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary. Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.
