Lot 223: Three Thomas Ford and Sons Douglas Pattern Graduated Flow Blue Serving Platters

A trio of graduated English flow blue earthenware serving platters produced by Thomas Ford and Sons. Each platter is of rectangular form with scalloped, gadrooned edges and a glazed earthenware body. The decoration is applied in the flow blue style using transfer printing in the Douglas pattern. The design features a wide border composed of stylized floral swags and scrolls set against a stippled ground, with delicate floral garlands framing a plain central well. The rim of each piece is finished with a thin gold-coloured line.

The underside of the largest platter bears a printed black backstamp featuring the characters F & SONS above a ribbon banner containing the word DOUGLAS, with BURSLEM printed below. A single capital letter F is stamped separately in black ink below the primary mark. The factory mark identifies the manufacturer as Thomas Ford and Sons, based in Burslem, Staffordshire, England.