This eighteenth century soft paste porcelain square dessert dish is executed in Worcester's magnificent "Old Mosaic" pattern. In this Japanese Imari inspired design, eight panels of different patterns -- studded with circular stylized crests -- are laid out around the perimeter of the dish.  The circular open space left in the center is finished with a wreath of prunus.  Four of the panels are executed in underglaze blue: two blue and white, two solid blue with gilding. The four alternating panels are richly enameled with floral and diaper patterns in red, green, turquoise, puce and yellow.

Simon Spero and John Sandon in Worcester Porcelain 1751-1790: The Zorensky Collection (p. 236, 238) note that Worcester created several patterns based on Japanese Imari designs. Early on, English consumers, notably the country house set, had developed a taste for such wares, but the Japanese had cut off export in 1745. Worcester's copies competed with those by Chinese potters to satisfy this demand.

Whatever the rationale for its development, in "Old Mosaic" Worcester certainly achieved a product equal to the original wares.