Plate, 6 inches diameter. Brown transfer. Printed maker's mark for J. H. Davis. The Rd. No. indicates a pattern registration date of 1888. The design fills nearly every available space on the front of the plate, albeit in the asymmetrical fashion typical of this era. While the right side has a border element, the left side has none at all. The right side affords a light and airy marshland nature scene framed from above by light airy flowering branches that reach downward. In contrast, the left side of the plate is busy with the designs reflecting human activity. In one cartouche, a large sailboat glides across calm waters, but it is wedged into place by two elaborately woven man-made triangular shapes floating on an airy, natural background of leaves. Next to these elements on the left, the lower space is completely occupied by the illusion of a densely woven piece of fabric. An oversize leaf and branch fill the space above, nearly overpowering the woven element below.

The Trent Pottery, situated by the side of the North Staffordshire Canal at Eastwood, was established in 1867 by Messrs. Livesley & Davis. On the retirement of Mr. Livesley the style was changed to J. H. & J. Davis brothers. In 1875 Mr. J. Davis retired and it was carried on by Mr. J. H. Davis alone. Until latterly the productions were confined to white granite-ware for the United States, but Mr. Davis introduced the manufacture of dinner, toilet, and tea services and other articles both for the home and foreign markets. He was also an extensive maker of sanitary wares, lavatories, plug-basins, hoppers, etc.