{HISTORY}

When it comes to history and storytelling, there is a lot to love regarding these pretty picnic plates. Made in England by Elite Gift Boxes for NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop, these tin beauties are based on an English porcelain soup plate pattern made in the 1780s by Worcester Pottery (see original plate in the photos section). 

When it debuted in the 18th century, Worcester Pottery called this pattern Duke of Gloucester. It may have been named for the real-life Duke of Gloucester, William Henry (1743-1805) - see his portrait included in the photos section. 

An almost exact replica of the porcelain soup plate, these metal dinner-sized picnic plates feature a bevy of orchard fruits, bugs and butterflies with vibrant colors and interesting details peeking out in every direction. Worcester Pottery was one, if not the, oldest pottery in England, dating to 1750/1751.  Creating exquisite pieces from the beginning, they were an immediate favorite among discerning collectors.  In 1788, just eight years after they produced the porcelain plate that inspired this set, Worcester received their royal warrant from the British royal family cementing themselves as a luxury brand of the finest and most artistic merit from that point forward.

As for William Henry, in keeping with the romantic atmosphere of an idyllic outdoor picnic, he also has a little love story to share. William Henry fell head over heels for a widowed woman named Maria, Countess Dowager of Waldegrave whom he married in 1766. Keeping his relationship a secret from his brother, King Charles III for six years, Maria was a bit of a scandalous choice. She was the illegitimate daughter of British politician Edward Walpole and his mistress, Dorothy Clement and also the widowed wife of the 2nd Earl of Waldegrave. Initially, William Henry should have asked his brother's permission to marry, but it took six years for William to gather the courage to confess the secret betrothal.  At that point, Maria was expecting their first child.  Upon hearing the news, the King banned the young family from court. This banishment lasted eight years until the brothers finally reconciled in 1780 and William Henry and the children were back in the good graces of the King, but not Maria. 

Perhaps this tale of family love between brothers and romantic love between William and Maria is what inspired Worcester to create their beautiful porcelain botanical pattern in the same year that William Henry was welcomed back to court. Lots of symbolism could be extracted from those lush and lusty orchard fruits and the creatures that pollinate them. 

Such a fun theme on all fronts for a picnic, these four plates are brimming with conversation and menu inspiration. Lightweight and easy to tote around, they make any outdoor dining date, an elegant and engaging experience.

It isn't known when these four made their debut in the Met's gift shop. it could have been as late as the mid-2010's making them not quite vintage yet or it could have been as early as the 1990s. Usually, the museum stocks items that coincide with current exhibits so perhaps in one of those decades, they curated a special collection of English pottery in which the 1939 gift of the original soup plate made an appearance. Whatever, the situation these four plates are steeped in all sorts of history. 

Portrait of William Henry, 1st Duke of Gloucester courtesy of the Royal Collection Trust, The original 1780s era porcelain soup plate photograph courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art archive collection.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Matching set of four tin metal dinner plates -
• Fruits included in the design are lemons, peaches, cherries, grapes blueberries, plums and small red berries. There are four different types of butterflies featured on each plate and three insects
• Colors include teal, lemon, mulberry, eggplant, gold, blueberry, spring green, lime green, cherry red, pale purple, celedon and stone 
• Each plate is stamped on back with the pattern info and the Metropolitan Museum of Art mark

{CONDITION}

Each plate is in lovely condition. Two bear some very minor scratch marks as happens over time with metal trays and serve ware. Thanks to the pattern arrangement these marks are barely noticeable and do not detract at all from the beauty of the overall composition of each piece. The other two plates are completely scratch-free. None of the plates contain any dented areas and they are very clean, shiny, and bright on both the front and the back. 

{SIZE}

Each plate measures 10.25" inches (diameter) and weighs 5 oz. Together the whole set of four weighs 1.4 lbs.