While we must be careful not to impose our sense of holiday decor on former times, it is difficult not to imagine how well these small plates would compliment a Yuletide table.

The lush florals in the center are printed in an unusual light shade of--almost mint--green. In cheerful contrast the red border of light and dark blocks filled with crisp geometric designs creates a candy cane impression. By design or chance, the narrow band of tiny stars extending into the well of the plate further fulfills our holiday expectations.

Somehow this charming pattern has escaped documentation in any of our references. The border, however, does show up in combination with a scenic center in Petra Williams and Marguerite Weber's reference work; Staffordshire: Romantic Transfer Patterns Vol. III ( (pp. 118-119) where Dimmock is noted as a possible maker.

The border also turns up in a fascinating context in  White House China by Marian Klamkin (pl. 4). Paired with a patriotic eagle and flag center, it was used in the Zachary Taylor White House (1849-1850). We have owned a version of that design executed in the same red and teal green combination as these dessert plates.