Lot 526: A Victorian J&D Earthenware Tree and Well Meat Platter in Blonde Pattern 54 x 44cm

A large Victorian earthenware meat platter of oval form with a scalloped rim. The interior is transfer-printed in blue with the Blonde pattern, featuring a repeating border of stylized foliate and husk motifs within arched panels. The rim is decorated with an embossed bead and scroll relief. The centre of the platter features an impressed tree and well drainage design, comprising branching channels leading to a deep oval well at one end for the collection of meat juices. The underside is fitted with a heavy integral foot rim.

The base bears multiple marks: a blue transfer-printed mark consisting of the letters J&D above the characters NO 99, with the pattern name BLONDE contained within a rectangular ribbon banner below. A black printed diamond-shaped British Registry Mark is also present, topped with a circle containing the Roman numeral IV. The diamond contains the number 27 at the top, the number 4 to the left, the letter c to the right, and the letter D at the base, with the central letter R surmounted by a small d. Flanking the top circle are the words CARLTON and SHAPE. Several darkened kiln or stilt marks are visible on the underside.