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. 

This image, which obviously enjoyed widespread and long term popularity, must have been freely available to the potting trade. We have encountered it on bone china tea wares of the 1830's and 40's, as well as an enameled relief version on copper lustre. Noel Riley in Gifts For Good Children: The History Of Children's China 1790 to 1890 (pp.39-40, 206) illustrates two different plates which use the transfer. One is tagged simply "The Favorite" and one carries a gratuitously dour admonition on mortality: "Who told you of All things deAth / Should NeVer be Forgot / MY GRANDFATHER"

When we started Seekers Antiques, we could never understand those collectors who chased after any example of feline ornamentation.  However, having had the pleasure of living with a series of tabbies over two decades, we understand the pleasure and excitement a pet owner feels on finding even the most vaguely related image of his chosen friend. Given the attitude displayed by this fine cat, the original artist knew tabbies first hand.

A smaller diameter plate from the same series--featuring pet rabbits--is available elsewhere on this site. See final photo.