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Similar platter exhibited in Brooklyn Museum

Q. This is a photo of a platter that I found in my house when we purchased it. It has a stylized flower in the center and each petal is decorated with small blossoms. The border has small flowers with bands on either side. The flowers are deep blue and the background is white. It measures around 11 inches by 15 inches and it is in mint condition.

Marked on the back of the platter are the words “Copeland & Sons.” There is also a diamond-shaped mark with the letters and numbers clockwise from the top: “28,” “E,” “H,” “12.” Above the diamond is the Roman numeral “IV.” Inside the diamond are the letters “RD.” While searching the Internet, I found information on the platter at a Brooklyn Museum website. They have one just like mine stating it was made in 1881 in England, and it is decorated with the Aesthetic Movement transfer-print pattern, “Primrose.”

The house was built around 1910, but I don't know how long the platter was there. I am hoping you can give me some more details about the vintage background, history and value of this platter.

A. Copeland & Sons have been located in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, from 1847 to the present. They have made porcelain, Parian and earthenware.

The Aesthetic Movement in decorative arts evolved as a consequence of the mass production of the Industrial Revolution. It was inspired by Japanese design and called for a return to beauty and quality.

The diamond shape shows the design was registered with the British Government on April 28, 1881. The Roman numeral shows the piece is of the ceramic category. The pattern “Primrose” was used to decorate complete sets of dinnerware and was available in several different colors. Although the pattern was registered in 1881, it could have been produced later.

Your “Primrose” platter is circa 1881 and would probably be worth $175 to $225.

Q. I have enclosed the mark that is on the back of a cake plate that I have. The plate is decorated with a spray of multicolored flowers at the lower part of the plate. The background is white. It has a band of flowers on the border and there are handles on each edge. Also with the mark are the words “Patented March 23, 1917.” It is extremely blurry and I don't know if you can read it. What can you tell me about my plate?

A. Wood & Sons have made ironstone and earthenware since 1865. They are located in Burslem, England. Your cake plate would probably be worth $25 to $35.

• Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.

© 2015, Creators.com

Wood & Sons made ironstone and earthenware.
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