Each of these stoneware dessert plates has received an all over printing of the Masons "Bandana" pattern which consists of detailed line drawings of Chinese dogs on a busy background of curly stylized clouds. Washes of color--Chinese red and ochre--divide the plate surface into quadrants surrounding a very pale blue circular field in the center. The colors are thin, transparent and shadowy, allowing much of the white body to emerge.

The shadowy coloration of the plates immediately suggests significant wear; however, a final conclusion is not so simple. The color variance of the four plates is quite consistent and the surface does not appear to be abraded. Furthermore we have seen the same fugitive color effect on other "Bandana" pieces including jugs. We will leave the judgment to you. In either case, the effect is striking.