"A magic power transported us into the forests which for so many years this man of genius has trod. Learned and ignorant alike we are astonished at the spectacle. Imagine a landscape wholly American, trees, flowers, grass, even the colors of the sky and the waters, quickened with a life that is real, peculiar, trans-Atlantic. On twigs, branches, bits of shore, copied by the brush with the strictest fidelity, sport the feathered races of the New World, in the size of life, each in its particular attitude, its individuality, its peculiarities..." A French critic upon seeing Audubon's work, 1826

{HISTORY}

Two beauties, one set. Two distinct brands, one gorgeous collection. Between the late 1930's and early 1940's, English pottery maker Alfred Meakin manufactured this botanical collection of colorful bird plates from John James Audubon's Birds of America elephant folio.

Made in Tunstall, England and endorsed by the American Audubon Society in New York, Alfred Meakin was one of a just few pottery manufacturers who reproduced John James' images onto china for retail trade during the 20th century. Available in plates, cups, saucers and bowls, the collection contained at least a dozen different bird images all set against a swirl of embossed leaves. These two luncheon plates portray a pair of Band-Tailed Pigeons and a White Crowned Sparrow, two of of the aviary world's most sociable birds.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Set of two luncheon plates

- Colors include: grey, violet, brown, blue, green, yellow, pumpkin, cherry red, pink, teal, mint, raspberry, black and white

- Marked on back with both stamps from the Alfred Meakin and the National Audubon Society

No cracks, but there is one small chip on the underside of the pigeon plate and delicate crazing on both plates.  

Each plates measures 8.75" inches in diameter.

{STYLE IDEA}

For bird lovers big and small... there's another pair of Audubon birds in the shop here as well as an assortment of paper prints rescued from a vintage bird book.