RARE AND FABULOUS pair of Victorian aesthetic porcelain plates by Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co c1880s. Hand painted with exquisite renderings of flowers and butterflies. White and yellow chrysanthemums are contrasted with a Holly Blue butterfly, red nasturtiums with a butterfly of deep cerulean blue with red and yellow tail spots. Shoulders are decorated with aesthetic designs printed in amber and gold against a rich cobalt blue ground, encircled by another band in symmetrical gilt and cobalt. Rim and centre gilt with circles and dentils. Altogether a classic and impressive pair of plates from this fine company that preceded Cauldon.

MARKS: the red nasturtium plate has pattern number B5239 handwritten in red, signifying Brown-Westhead, Moore & Co. The matching white chrysanthemum plate has no mark. Plates with minimal markings such as these were often made to special order. It is important to keep these plates as a pair in order to identify the maker of the unmarked plate. Measures 9"D x 1"H. Condition is very good. Gilding and enamel are bright and intact. Scant surface wear on the chrysanthemum plate. Faint utensil marks on the nasturtium plate and gilt wear to both centre circles (see pictures). No issues or restoration. These plates display beautifully. (Please note this is part of a set of four at time of listing.)