Plate, 9.5 inches diameter (24.13cm). Blue-gray transfer. Printed maker's mark for John Maddock & Sons. The inclusion of "England" in the mark dates the production of this plate to c. 1891-1896. This border-only pattern consists of three bands of highly-stylized, repeated floral motifs. The widest border in the middle consists of a diamond pattern laid underneath roundels of flowerheads.

John Maddock & Sons was an earthenware manufacturer at Newcastle Street Works, Dale Hall, Burslem, Staffordshire, England. John Maddock (b. 1807), started business in 1830 as Maddock & Edwards, from 1839-1842 as Maddock & Seddon, and from 1842-55 on his own account as John Maddock. John & Martha Maddock had four sons - John Jr. and James who became partners in the manufacturing business and Thomas and Henry who both managed the export business in the United States of America. In 1855 John Jr. was taken into partnership and the business traded as John Maddock & Son. From around 1870 the other son James was taken into partnership and the business traded as John Maddock & Sons. By 1871 John Maddock Sr. had retired, at that time the census records that the business employed 208 people. John died in 1877 - the name John Maddock & Sons continued. In 1896 the business was incorporated as John Maddock & Sons Ltd. Around 1897 Maddock & Miller were established in New York around 1897 as importers of English ware. They represented other English potters as well as John Maddock & Sons Ltd. Sidney Maddock (son of Henry Maddock, grandson of John Maddock) was a partner in the business of Maddock & Miller. In 1904 the company exhibited at the St. Louis Exhibition, USA and were awarded a gold medal.