Plate, 10.25 inches diameter. Blue transfer. Printed maker's mark for Benjamin & Sampson Hancock. The registry diamond indicates a pattern registration date of 31 January 1878. This pattern features a swallow in flight chasing a winged insect above a patch of water with waterlilies and reeds. Three small motifs consisting of seeded grass and a branch with lanceolate leaves are placed around the rim.

Benjamin & Sampson Hancock was started by Sampson Hancock, a prominent Wesleyan Methodist, at Victoria Street, Tunstall in 1857/58. In 1876 he moved to the Bridge Works, Church Street, Stoke and was joined by Benjamin Hancock. The partnership was dissolved in December 1881 when Benjamin retired from the business. Sampson continued on his own account. In 1892 Sampson Hancock moved to the Gordon Works in Wolfe Street, Stoke and became Sampson Hancock & Sons.