In addition to boasting of the rarest--and to many observers the most beautiful--bi-color transfer combination, yellow and brown, the "Navorino" pattern also represents a unique strategy in mixing the two colors.

Brown transfer is confined to lush floral groups in the center and five positions around the flange of the dinner plate. Yellow pigment is employed for a series of concentric rings of ornament that start at the edge of the plate and extend considerably into the central well, creating an unusually wide border. What is most unique, however, is the central ring of the series: a band of fine, curving parallel lines that are printed over the brown border nosegays. This most original and effective device softens the contrast between printing and plate surface to create a delicacy rare in either one or two color transfer.

Of yellow transfer patterns with known makers, most can be credited to either John Ridgway or Enoch Wood & Sons. That leaves a number of outstanding, but unattributed patterns such as "Cornelian" (also available on this website) and "Navarino." Our reference sources offer no help. Since this plate is the only example we have encountered, we are unable to base a guess on the shape of holloware pieces--a typical clue. Such is the disadvantage of rarity, but we will keep searching for an answer.