Wedgwood crosses over into the world of scientific specimen illustration in this brown tra...

Wedgwood crosses over into the world of scientific specimen illustration in this brown transfer variation on their "Botanical" pattern.  Three different plants are placed on this creamy ivory platter in much the same manner they would appear on a botanists table. 

A simple, light scale border of continuing spiral line frames the arrangement around the edge of this fresh, clean platter.

Credit for the development of the "Botanical Flowers" series is generally given to John, e...

Credit for the development of the "Botanical Flowers" series is generally given to John, eldest son of Josiah I, who was active in the pottery after 1804. Not only was he a key actor in the initiation of underglaze printing at Wedgwood, but was also a keen botanist and gardener, instrumental in the founding of the Royal Horticultural Society.

It was not unusual for Wedgwood to continue production of early printed patterns in the last half of the nineteenth century. Given the 1870's production date here, however, one cannot help but note the coincidental similarity to popular patterns like Minton's "Naturalist" with scattered isolated motifs on a blank ground--a manifestation of the craze for Japanese influenced goods current at the time. A possible motivator for this generation of the botanical designs?