This is a pretty little pair of Royal Venton side plates - ideal for serving little cakes or French fancies.
Royal Venton Ware was introduced by John Stevenson & Sons in 1930. All production of fine tableware stopped in 1936 - when the company decided to concentrate on the manufacture of sanitary ware.
Given the quality of the decoration on these plates - it is more than likely that this design was created by Harold Holdcroft. He was born in 1904, was appointed a lecturer at Burslem School of Art at the age of 18, and was Head Designer up until 1928 - when he started working at J Steventon & Sons, Burslem. There is a letter H marked on the reverse. Holdcroft subsequently went to work at Royal Albert - where he is best known for his Old Country Roses Pattern.
Clarice Cliff, Susie Cooper, Charlotte Rhead, and Gladys Scarlett (who went to work with Clarice Cliff in London in 1928) all studied at the Burslem School of Art under or at the same time as Holdcroft.
These lovely wee plates are octagonal and decorated around the edge with fine handpainted crocus, as photographed.
The design is very Art Deco in style and is reminiscent of similar crocus wares by Clarice Cliff. These plates pre-date Clarice's crocus designs.
These Royal Venton examples are hard to find - and would look great on display on a pine dresser in a country cottage.
The diameter of each plate is just under 8 inches.
Each plate is in good condition - one plate has a little craquelure to the glaze on the reverse. The other one is just fine. I am listing them at only £20 for each plate. They are interesting historically - and you dont find many examples on this shape and pattern.
UK Postage is with Royal Mail Recorded. This will cost £4.95 and applied to your order at the checkout.