Plate

Great Britain, Burslem, Staffordshire. Pinder, Bourne & Hope. 

The plate is semi-deep, with a flat, slightly wavy, everted rim. The rim is decorated with a winding branch and six cartouches containing figurative and decorative motifs. The centre features an Italian landscape in dark green. In the foreground is a large ornamental vase on a high pedestal. A relief scene with human figures is visible inside the vase. The surrounding landscape depicts a carefully designed park with trees, shrubs, and stone balustrades. In the middle ground stands an elegant building with towers, connected by an arched passage. Light clouds float above the landscape, creating a sense of space and depth.

The broad rim is densely filled with an ornament of intertwined vegetal stems, leaves, and small flowers. The decoration has a symmetrical rhythm and resembles delicate lacework. At regular intervals, six oval medallions are incorporated into the pattern, featuring decorative motifs such as flower vases, musical instruments, and other elements characteristic of the Historicist style. The ornament is exceptionally fine and detailed.

The reverse bears the company mark “Pinder, Bourne & Hope” and the inscription “MEDICI / P. B. & H.”

The base bears a heraldic design depicting the British lion and unicorn supporting a shield with the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom. The scroll bears the motto “DEU ET MON DROIT” (“God and my right”), while the inscription surrounding the shield reads “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE” (“Shame be to him who thinks evil of it”).

Provenance: Donated to the museum by O. B. Suprunenko in 1987.