A path leading from the foreground of this little cup plate invites us to join the man sta...
A path leading from the foreground of this little cup plate invites us to join the man standing quietly at the open gate. The rustic cottage on the short rise behind him would have signaled the nineteenth century consumer that this pattern paid tribute to idyllic country life.
Dating from the 1820's, this medium blue transfer pearlware scene is actually the adaptation of a larger landscape tailored for cup plate size. Generally known as "Village Church," the full scene features a second rustic at the open gate, sheep in the nearby meadow, additional thatch roof buildings, and a prominent country village church. Both this variation and the larger pattern are framed in a distinct assortment of flowers featuring prominent roses and a tight printed band of scallop detail at the rim.