Half escapist tropical fantasy, half sophisticated collection of Japanese-derived patterns, Gildea & Walker's "Melbourne demonstrates the ability of the Victorian manufacturer to respond to trends in consumer interest. The seaside bamboo grove--depicted in an up to date graphic style--must have seemed quite appealing on a gray British morning. Cutting diagonally across this scene is a field consisting of smaller patches of contrasting patterns. One of these patches--differing on every plate size--features a small vignette, here a crane crosses a moonlit sky. These Japanese affectations would no doubt appeal to the homeowner seeking artistic credibility.

One sign of the popularity of Gildea & Walkers' "Melbourne" is the number of patterns that clearly attempt to imitate it. Each juxtaposes a scene with a patchwork of contrasting patterns. Among these tribute patterns can be counted Edge-Malkin's "Tonquin," Grindley's "Burmah," Mayer's "Crusoe," and even one American contender, Willet's "Tropics."