Editing English delftware (section)

==Blue-dash chargers==
[[File:William III chargers.JPG|thumb|left|Two chargers with [[William III of England]]]] 
Blue-dash chargers, usually between about 25 and 35&nbsp;cm in diameter with abstract, floral, religious, patriotic or [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/explore/highlights/highlight_image.aspx?image=ps337952.jpg&retpage=20594 topographical]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} motifs, were produced in quantity by London and Bristol potters until the early 18th century.  As they were kept for decoration on walls, dressers and side-tables, many have survived and they are well represented in museum collections.  Their name comes from the slanting blue dashes round the rim, seen in both examples at the left.<ref>Poole, 26</ref>

One of the most popular decorations on the blue-dash charger was a representation of [[Adam and Eve]] with the serpent in the Garden of Eden, produced from the 1630s to the 1730s.  "The challenge of rendering the anatomy of Adam and Eve was inescapable, and as the subject became more and more freely repeated by painters of less and less competence, most of the anatomy gave trouble, particularly Adam's abdominal muscles, which eventually became grotesque and could not be wholly covered by his fig-leaf."  In later examples, "the images had declined to the level of coloured ''graffiti''; Adam and Eve were cave dwellers, the Tree had become a mere cipher and only the serpent and the fruit proved simple enough to survive debasement."<ref name=caiger/>