Antique Ashworths Ironstone China Dinner Plate Imari Pattern B 3194 c 1870 - Also known as Old Japan Vase,Rayner or Franklin pattern, 26cm diameter

An extremely attractive and highly collectable antique Ashworth's ironstone round shaped dinner plate decorated with an Imari inspired intricate oriental design that was originally produced by Hicks Meigh and Johnson (their pattern number 66). Ashworth's reference for this pattern is B 3194 as marked on the back, some collectors refer to this as the "Old Japan Vase" and others the Rayner or Franklin pattern.

The pattern is generally an Anglicised Japanese Imari and many other manufacturers made stylistically similar pieces but perhaps not as ornately decorative. The plate is decorated with a deep iron red transfer printed pattern with black, orange and salmon enamel and extensive gilded embellishments.

The pattern consists of a large oriental style vase with a number of large flowers in it, the vase being sat upon a low Chinese table. There are other flowers and leaves as well as one large oversized flower to the left hand side. The plate has an inner hatched border and an outer floral and scroll border.

This is a 19th century Mason’s ironstone dinner plate produced at the time when Mason's was owned and controlled by George Leach Ashworth after the bankruptcy of Charles James Mason in 1848. G.L. Ashworth and Bros. (Ltd) operated from Broad Street, Hanley, Staffordshire, England from 1862 until 1968. 

The base carries the puce coloured transfer printed mark of the Royal crest with ironstone china beneath and this mark dates to the 1862-1890 period. The plate also has an impressed mark  "Ashworths Real Ironstone China" as well as the enamelled pattern number "B" 3194. 

The plate is 10 1/4 inches (26 cm) diameter. It stands approx 1 inch (2.5 cm) high and weighs 630 grammes unpacked. 

It is in excellent antique condition without any damage or restoration. 

It is a very attractive item for display or use and will be of particular interest to collectors of Ashworth's , Mason's, Hicks and Meigh, Ironstone China and hand coloured English transfer-ware.