Platter, 12 x 10 inches. Green transfer. Printed maker's mark for Ralph Hammersley & Son. The Rd. No. indicates a pattern registration date of 1887 and the impressed numbers indicate a manufacture date of December 1887. This border-only pattern consists of pairs of overlapped rectangular cartouches separated by floral springs and geometric sheet patterns. The cartouche pairs feature the following images: the entry gate and tower of a medieval city and triangular spirals; a squirrel with a nut and a stylized branch with leaves; a rooster in flight and stylized ivy leaves and berries; a mill and stylized suns; two fish and a stylized branch with leaves; and a town built over a river and spiraling tendrils. The three bands of flowers feature roses, dahlias, and nasturtium.

In 1862 Ralph Hammersley started manufacturing with a Mr. Eardley at the Church Bank Works in Tunstall. In 1868 Eardley left the business and Ralph Hammersley continued on his own at the Church Bank Works until 1870, when he moved to the newly rebuilt Over House Pottery in Burslem. “The new manufactory was opened in 1870 by Ralph Hammersley, who removed here from the Church Bank Pottery at Tunstall and who had previously been engaged for twenty years with Mr. Challinor. In [1885], the firm’s style was changed to Ralph Hammersley & Son and as such remained until sold in 1905 to T. Gater.” (Jewitt's Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900) It is probable that Ralph Hammersley died in December 1882 and the business was continued by his son Thomas Gallimore Hammersley in partnership with Margaret Hammersley and Susan Annie Corn. In November 1897 Susan Annie Corn retired from the business. The business closed in 1905 and the works were sold to Thomas Gater.