A Victorian Flow Blue ironstone plate in the 'Beauties of China' pattern, manufactured by Mellor, Venables & Co. of Burslem, Staffordshire (c. 1834–1851). Featuring a twelve-sided dodecagonal rim decorated with rich cobalt scrolling floral and foliate borders, the central well depicts a romanticised Chinoiserie landscape with a weeping willow, pagodas, and an arched footbridge rendered in deep transfer-printed blue glaze bleed.

Condition Report & Provenance

• Subject / Sitter / Source: Chinoiserie landscape with pagodas and bridge ('Beauties of China' pattern)
• Artist / Maker: Mellor, Venables & Co. (Burslem, Staffordshire)
• Period: Victorian (1837–1901)
• Origin: England
• Material / Technique: flow blue transfer-printed ironstone
• Markings: printed blue mark reading "BEAUTIES / of / CHINA / M. V. & Co" to reverse; impressed arc mark reading "IRONSTONE"
• Decorative Details: dodecagonal multi-panelled rim, scrolling foliate border, heavy cobalt glaze diffusion
• Condition: chip to outer rim edge visible on the underside; light crazing and minor glaze imperfections to reverse

History

Mellor, Venables & Co. operated at the Hole House Pottery in Burslem, Staffordshire, from 1834 to 1851, producing sought-after ironstone export wares. The 'Beauties of China' series exemplifies early Victorian enthusiasm for romanticised orientalist scenes, executed in the distinctive Flow Blue technique where volatile cuprous additives introduced into the kiln caused the cobalt glaze to bleed and soften into surrounding white ceramic.