The pursuit of the stag through rugged Scottish highlands by heroic kilted hunters is the subject of Adams' "Caledonia" pattern.  The center scene of the dinner plate depicts that moment when the hunter, standing over the fallen stag with his trusted hound at his side, raises his horn to signal his triumph. In the background, the sun beams down on the rugged landscape. 

The scene is framed by a border which totally covers the scalloped flange of the plates, a combination of additional hunt vignettes and elaborate floral and scroll devices. The border spills down into the well of the plate with a band of filigree drops that accent the center scene.  

The Adams potters further enhance this example with their red and green bi-color treatment. The bright parrot green ground color of the border provides a perfect complement to the rich red of the center. 

Adams "Caledonia" pattern conveys many messages which would have held meaning for the early Victorians.  At the time, England, France and Germany were actively piecing together a national identity based on both fact and fiction.  For the British, the Scottish highlands provided ideal subject matter for this narrative with its rugged landscape peopled with fiercely independent clans--identified by their unique tartan kilts.  Additional fuel was supplied through the arts: Sir Edwin Landseer's studies of animals, domestic and wild, often in northern settings and Sir Walter Scott's influential novels centered in the Scottish highlands.  

Finally, the elements of the pattern must have held almost sacred meaning for these early Victorians. The hunter, his trusted hound, the noble  stag, even the sun shining on the landscape could be interpreted as symbols of British virtues.  (One can not help but think of the scene in the recent movie, "The Queen," in which Helen Mirren, as Queen Elizabeth contemplates a highlands stag which has just been felled.)

As our final photo, we have also included a shot of this plate with a second bi-color "Caledonia" salad plate, showing the continuity of the  "Caledonia" scenes and the contrast of a reverse red and green treatment.  This salad plate is also currently available -- as well as single color examples in red or purple (feel free to email for details).