This unassuming survivor reflects a mid-century return to classical design sources in the trend known as Neo Grec.  A band of traditional anthemion detail  provides the sole ornament around the edge of this toy ironstone dinner plate. 

One note of interest however is the unique transfer color.  We have noticed that this particular rich, pastel violet purple color seems to only be associated with mid-century patterns. The absence of any center motif is also characteristic of the period and foreshadows the border-only patterns to come.

We identified this pattern from an illustration in Davenport, China, Earthenware & Glass 1794-1887  by Terrence A. Lockett and Geoffrey A.Godden  (plate 175, page 192). Lockett and Godden note that "Athens" was still listed among Davenport patterns as late as 1888.