Pearlware blue & white transferware shell shaped dessert dish - marked Royal Vitrescent Rock China possibly Machin & Potts antique circa 1835

An early 19th century blue and white romantic style transfer printed, William IV period, pearlware shell shaped single handled dessert dish circa 1830. It has been transfer printed in a light blue with a pattern depicting a young man, possibly a boy, sat under a tree whilst busily writing. He has a number of sheets of paper scattered around him. In the background is a bridge and a church with a steeple in the distance. The beehive, or more accurately a bee skep, behind the tree symbolises his industriousness. The pattern is possibly that of Socrates.

The outer edges of the lip of the dish has low relief moulded gadrooned rim and stylised shell and scroll moulding with a large version at the end of the single handle.  The border pattern is a loose stylised floral one with rococo scrolls, bees flying around beehives or bee skeps and butterflies.

The dish is marked with an blue transfer printed mark of an angel blowing on a long trumpet whilst holding a scroll with the name Royal Vitrescent Rock China. It was possibly made by the company of Machin and Potts of Waterloo Works Burslem Staffordshire, England. Ref 1. A highly decorative and collectable item of antique mid 19th century William IV period transfer printed pearlware circa 1835. 

The word vitrescent in the trademark refers to the glaze, meaning it is hard and transparent, like glass.

The dish is 10 7/16 inches ( 26.4 cm) long, 8 3/4 inches (21.8 cm ) wide and 2 1/4 inches ( 5.7 cm) high, it weighs 474 grammes unpacked. 

It is in excellent  antique condition, no chips, cracks nor restoration.  Please see the images.

References

1. Transferware Collectors Club Database  - pattern number 14234 - boy writing or Royal Vitrescent Rock China