It is economical to have all kitchen utensils of the best quality; cheap pans, brushes, pails, earthenware and the like are not only an "eyesore" in a house, and bad or disagreeable to use, but they are good for nothing, eternally want replacing, while a good article is not only better taken care of, but will stand infinitely more of hard usage. - Jennie June's American Cookery Book, 1878

{HISTORY}

In the 1890's, this is what your favorite ironstone bowl looked like. It was made by Baker & Co in Staffordshire England in 1893. The pattern is called Delia and contains delicate illustrations of lacy florals that look a little bit like carnations and little bit like dianthus flowers.

Accompanying the  pretty botanicals are embossed elements decorating the inside of the bowl with leaves and swirly flourishes. Unique in that this bowl offers both a decorated interior and exterior, it is a very rare hard to find pattern from an English pottery that was in business from the 1830's to 1932. 

Stamped on the bottom are the maker's mark and pattern name along with two separate marks - one identifying Paris and one identifying New Orleans. This could have been where Baker & Co sold their dishes in the European market and the American market or could be a reference to the Paris exhibition of 1855, where Baker & Co first exhibited their white graniteware (also known as white ironstone). 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Very rare Delia pattern

- Blue floral transferware

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

- Embossed elements

{CONDITION}

Overall in lovely antique condition. Light staining in some areas. There are two hairline cracks (please see photos) on the rim of the bowl and they pit marks in the base of the bowl made during manufacture. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Measures 9.5" inches in diameter by 3" inches )height) and weighs just under 2lbs.