How were these plates used?

These pieces functioned as part of dessert services or served as decorative items displayed in cabinets and on walls. Wealthy households utilised them to showcase wealth and an interest in natural science. They were brought out at the conclusion of formal meals for fruit and sweetmeats, or simply kept on view in drawing rooms to impress visitors with their artistry.

Are these plates safe for food?

Historic porcelain with hand-painted enamels and gold leaf is generally unsuited for modern food use or dishwashers. The delicate pigments and metallic gilding can easily abrade or degrade with regular washing. Collectors treat these items as decorative art or display pieces rather than functional tableware to preserve their historical surfaces.

How do I identify the maker?

Makers marked their porcelain using painted or impressed symbols, factory names, and pattern numbers on the underside of the base. Factory marks evolved over time, allowing collectors to date pieces by comparing the backstamps to reference records. Some exceptional items also feature the signature or initials of the artist who painted the botanical study.

What is a botanical plate?

A botanical plate is a ceramic dish decorated with accurate illustrations of flowers, plants, and sometimes insects or birds. These designs reflected the era's fascination with botany and natural history. Artists copied illustrations from botanical folios onto the ceramic canvas, creating durable records of flora enhanced by gold borders.