Royal Worcester dish painted by Ernest Phillips

This attractive Royal Worcester dish features a central spray of flowers painted by Ernest Phillips. The central spray is surrounded by an apple green ground with extensive gilding to the gadrooned rim. On the back is the painted pattern number W9732, which was introduced in December 1912, and it seems that this piece would probably have been part of a dessert set. It measures 216 mm (8.5 inches) wide, 238 mm (9.5 inches) long and stands 45 mm (1.75 inches) high. The date mark is for 1912 and it is in excellent condition apart from some crazing and a tiny chip to the underside of the rim.

Ernest Phillips started at the Worcester factory in 1890 and worked there for many years. He died in 1932. He painted very fine and intricate flower work. He was a keen gardener and grew all his own flowers which he then copied on to pieces of porcelain.