A square field of ivory is diagonally bisected by a scalloped band--on one side blossoming plants, on the other fields of Japanese style pattern. In the center of one patch a circular reserve is occupied by a strange, almost totally geometric little bird. Transfer printing is executed in a soft brown tone.

In creating the "Melbourne" butter pat, Gildea and Walker chose not to create a miniature version of the popular pattern--which combines patterned fields with a tropical shoreline scene. Instead they chose an almost abstract composition of contrasting elements that coordinate with the patchwork quality of the lower section of the full size plates.