You have to be a romantic to invest yourself, your money, and your time in cheese. Anthony Bourdain

{HISTORY}

One hundred years ago, this is how you served your cheese. Long before there were piled high charcuterie boards, plastic containers and cellophane wrappers, there were individual dishes like this made and meant for storing and serving wedges of cheese cut from giant hoops.  

Handpainted with gold details and orange, yellow and dark blue flowers, this covered dish was just as beautiful to behold as the wedge of cheese it harbored inside. 

Made by Barkers & Kent in the well-known and bustling ceramic city of Stoke-on-Trent, England, this beauty is a unique traveler of time and table. Stamped with the B & K Ltd. mark which was in use between 1898-1941, this cheese tray with its matching dome most likely was made in the earlier years of that range when it was popular, during Victorian times, to have a specific dish made especially to match a specific food item. Celery dishes for celery, pickle dishes for pickles, jam jars for jam, bone plates for chicken bones and cheese trays for cheese. You get the idea. A complete set of Victorian dishware was a mighty collection (and sight) to behold!

It's fun to imagine all the different types of cheese this dish would have come in contact with over the course of 100+ years. From the odiferous English Stiltons to the creamy American cheddars and everything in-between, we like to think this keeper was one of the most cherished in the kitchen. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Two-piece set includes cheese tray (plate) and covered dome

- Colors include - rust, spring green, navy blue, butter yellow, gold and deep crimson

- Stamped on bottom with maker's mark and the possible pattern number (502)

{CONDITION}

In gorgeous antique condition. There are no chips or cracks. There is lovely light crazing in some areas on the dome and two small, insignificant fleabites on the tray (please see photo). 

{SIZE}

Dome measures 5" inches (height at highest part to top of handle) x 4.75" inches (width) x 6" inches (length).

Plate measures 6.5" inches (width) x 8" inches (length) 

{FOR THE ANTIQUE LOVER}

Find more 19th and early 20th-century antique pieces here.