Pickle or Sweetmeat Dish

Dateca. 1760

MediumTin-glazed earthenware (delft)

DimensionsD: 7 7/8"; H: 1 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-264

DescriptionMolded petal-shaped dish segmented into four fan-shaped outside compartments and a square central compartment. Bluish tin glaze decorated in blue with floral sprays and, in one compartment, with an Oriental character as well.
Label TextA sweetmeat dish filled with sweetmeats, or candies, nuts, and preserves, was placed on the dinner or dessert table. These dishes might be single units or they might have dividers like this one to separate various items. The Bristol Museum has examples that are divided into three, four, five, and six sections. Fragments of trays with seven lobes have been excavated at Lambeth, both glazed and unglazed, in addition to a six-sectioned dish with decoration similar to this one.
InscribedNo
MarkingsNo
ProvenanceA. F. Allbrook, Old English Furniture, Pottery & Porcelain, London