Shallow plate from dinner service

Plate – a round, shallow faience plate with milky-white tones, decorated with a two-tone poppy flower motif stylised in the spirit of moderate Art Nouveau. On the plate's well, a stylised bouquet of seven flowers is arranged symmetrically along a central axis. The axis is defined by a straight stem topped with a large, centrally placed flower featuring four petals. The remaining paired flowers, shown in profile, are arranged on the sides. The lip features a floral pattern forming a kind of border. It consists of five flowers emerging from beyond the notch, interconnected while also interspersed with two flower buds on long, flexible stems. The stems curve towards each other and interlock in a loop where they meet, creating a continuous chain-like design. This pattern was applied using underglaze paints and a semi-mechanical method, i.e. a pouncing stencil. This decoration was inscribed between two brown stripes. The thinner one runs along the border of the notch, the thicker one goes around the edge of the lip. On the underside of the well are two signatures in green, stamped print. One depicts an anchor within an oval, with the inscription S.B. and S/ENGLAND underneath. The other is the signature of the London store SOUTH AUDLEY S/ T. GOODE& Co/ LONDON/W. 

Joanna Kluz