There is an another sky, ever serene and fair... Emily Dickinson 

 {HISTORY}

Made in the bustling pottery area of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England by John Maddock and Sons between the years 1880-1896, this beautiful antique platter features a natural color palette culled from tree and sky.

A family-run business that first began in the 1830s, John Maddock manufactured dishware for over 150 years before closing permanently in the 1980s. This big beauty of a platter was made around the time that pottery founder John Maddock retired and his son, John Jr., took over complete operation of the company.  Interested in producing functional dishware instead of merely decorative, the company flourished under John Jr.'s guidance.

Traveling to America in the mid-1870s, John Jr. got a better understanding of the needs and desires of consumers as well as the potential business opportunities for the American dishware market - info that he took back home to England, where he enlarged his pottery operations and expanded into hotelware and retail export.

Not quite knowing if this platter was destined for the hospitality industry or the domestic market, its large size (just under 16"inches) and its heavy weight (4 lbs) meant that it was substantial enough to handle big families or busy dining rooms. 

Containing a gorgeous color palette of sky blue, bright white, and sun-dappled green  - the exact color you might spot at the top of a tree canopy on a sunshine afternoon - this platter is bright and airy with a shiny glaze and embossed detailing. The embossed pattern repeats every other with designs that resemble climbing vines, billowy clouds, and bird feathers to create an overall aesthetic that surely must have been a nod to colors and shapes found in the natural landscape. 

Sure to have seen some adventures over the past 140 years, the only flaw is a 3/4" inch chip on the front side near the rim. This is a subtle reminder not only of its age but also of its fragile nature and the enduring beauty of imperfection. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Hand-painted 
• Hard to find pattern
• Embossed Detailing
• Colors include teal, sky blue, olive, and bright white
• Stamped on back with maker's mark

{CONDITION}

In lovely antique condition, this platter contains no chips, cracks, spots, or stains with the exception of one 3/4" inch chip on the front side near the rim. Luckily, given the placement of the chip and its bright white color, it is not very noticeable.  Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Measures 16" inches (length) x 12.5" inches (width) and weighs 4 lbs