This shell-shaped dish, dating from around 1815, would have formed part of a brightly painted dessert service. It is decorated with a variation on the Spode Peacock pattern, being transfer printed and then painted overglaze with rich enamels. The central panel contains two peacocks standing on a stylized rock, surrounded by large exotic flowers. Floral sprays are scattered around the edges. The handle is painted with a shell edge design in green.

The base is painted with the pattern number 1120 in green. There are small tears in the clay near the handle, indicating that this is a relatively early piece, although the pattern number is relatively high. Several factories manufactured wares in this shape, and so far we have been unable to identify the maker of this dish.

This really is a pretty handpainted dish, and would make an attractive addition to any collection of early polychrome bone china.

Condition: Excellent - no chips, cracks or restoration. The enamel decoration shows no sign of wear.

Dimensions: Length 9 3/4" (24.8cm); Height 1 3/4" (4.4cm)

Spode, Leonard Whiter (Barrie & Jenkins), 1989.