Few potters achieved the un-apologetic brilliance of Masons Ironstone.  In this fancy...

Few potters achieved the un-apologetic brilliance of Masons Ironstone.  In this fancy shaped dessert dish, the primary colors are the brilliant orange of the central floral group, the deep olive green of the border and a  fuschia-aubergine combination found throughout.  A pattern of gilt filigree enlivens the border while a  molded ruffle detail at the ends and along the sides repeats the fuschia-aubergine combination with a contrasting shot of yellow. The ruffle forms a sort of ribbon around the circumference of the dish, splitting away at two points to form decorative handles.

In its original grouping our dish would have been accompanied by serving dishes of a simil...

In its original grouping our dish would have been accompanied by serving dishes of a similarly fanciful shape, sauce tureens, and fruit stands or compotes of varying heights--along with individual dessert plates. Dessert at that time seems to have taken on the character of theatre.