{HISTORY}

It's not often that we feature just a single soup bowl here in the shop, but this one deserves some extra attention. It's not only the oldest dish to come to the shop so far, but also, it's the most intricate in pattern. 

In business for just twelve years, brothers Thomas, John, and Joseph Mayer founded their pottery in 1843 in Burslem, England under the name T.J. & J. Mayer. Winners of an Exposition award in 1851, the Mayer brothers were known for their romantic dish themes which were especially popular in the American market around the mid-19th century.

The pottery closed down upon the death of Thomas in 1855, but luckily the Mayer brothers' dishes still surface now and again to remind us of their artistry. This hard-to-find soup bowl features the Florentine pattern with its lush depiction of a castle, bridge and family at center. There is so much detail in this scene, it's easy to understand the talent of the Mayer pottery artisans. The rim features cascading flowers, repeating portraits of a castle and a delicate series of stripes. Overall, this bowl looks like a marvelous work of art. 

On the backside, the maker's mark is equally beautiful with a wreath of flowers, a dog and the pattern name proudly declaring it a work of art by T.J. & J Mayer. 

This Staffordshire bowl looks absolutely gorgeous with other blue and white transferware pieces and antique ironstone, both on the table and also included in your wall decor.

A hard-to-find dish, in a hard-to-find pattern, the only terrible thing about this piece is that there are not more mates to accompany it. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Hard to find serving piece

- Florentine pattern

- Stamped on bottom with maker's mark and pattern name

{CONDITION}

In lovely antique condition for its 180 years of age. There are no chips or cracks. There is gorgeous staining and crazing at the center of the bowl as expected with authentic age. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Measures 8.6" inches in diameter and weighs just a smidge under 1lb.

{FOR THE LOVE OF BLUE AND WHITE}

Find more vintage and antique blue and white dishware here.