In the serenity of her garden bower, a young would-be school mistress endeavors to instruc...
In the serenity of her garden bower, a young would-be school mistress endeavors to instruct her -- somewhat recalcitrant -- pupil. The tabby, patiently sits and allows his paw to be held, but is obviously more immediately interested in a bird flying nearby. The scene is executed in black transfer with a rainbow of enamels highlighting the dress and vegetation. By contrast, our unknown potter relies primarily on relief decoration for the flange with a pattern of raised florets and on the edge, a rope detail picked out in burgundy.
While details can be overlooked easily in the sentimental scene, notice the period gardening details documented in the print: the wire gazebo in the background, the rustic bench on which our tabby perches,and the fretwork fence running across the immediate background.