Soup plate, 10 inches diameter. Black transfer with polychrome clobbering. Impressed maker's mark for Copeland. The letter 'B' indicates Copeland's B (earthenware) body. The red painted pattern number '2/428,' places this pattern as part of a series introduced in 1876. This particular pattern features a central rectangular cartouche with rounded corners and rounded bulges on the short ends. Inside the cartouche is a scene a three songbirds; one is in flight over water with lotus blossoms and the other two are perched on bamboo and reeds growing from the water. The cartouche is superimposed over water irises and two circular cartouches filled with geometric patterns. Two small butterflies flit in the upper right.

W. T. Copeland was the only son of William Copeland, partner of Josiah Spode in the Stoke Potteries, of Staffordshire and of Portugal Street, London. He succeeded his father as head of the porcelain firm in Portugal Street, London and eventually bought out the interests of the Spode family in the business in the Potteries and London. He ran the business in partnership with Thomas Garrett between 1833 and 1847. After the dissolution of the Copeland and Garrett partnership, it traded as W. T. Copeland and Sons. (1847-1976). In 1866 Copeland was appointed china and glass manufacturer to the Prince of Wales.