We might be surprised to find a detailed botanical study of a land plant gracing a ceramic shape based on the shell of some bi-valve mollusk. In fact, the piece recalls the passions of both Josiah Wedgwood and his eldest son John.  The bowl is part of the "Nautilus" series, wares based on a variety of shell shapes -- reflecting Josiah Wedgwood's interest in conchology, the study of shells. The shapes appear over a long period of production with a number of decorative treatments, most frequently in shaded "shell pink" enamels.

The blue pearlware transfer "Botanical Flowers" decoration is one of a small group of designs based on plant studies -- reflective of John's interest in botany, the son who otherwise contributed more to the Royal Horticultural Society than to the family enterprise.

Both themes link the Wedgwood's to the strong interests in natural sciences among intellectuals of the day.

In Volume II of his work on Wedgwood, Robin Reilly notes that the "Botanical Flowers" pattern is derived from forty-seven different floral engravings from the Botanical Magazine, James Sowerby's English Botany and Richard Salisbury's Paradisus Londinensis.  Reilly considered the botanical patterns the most distinguished of Wedgwood's early printed patterns -- and that of these, "Botanical Flowers" and "Water Lily" were the stars.  (Robin Reilly, Wedgwood II, page 333)

This series of botanical studies must have enjoyed great success as we have seen multiple examples of the dinnerware, both in blue pearlware and an 1870's variation in brown on a cream color body.  This is the only time, however, that we have seen a shell service piece used with the "Botanical Flowers" transfer.