Transferware Deep Plate Lion in Love ~ Aesop's Fables 1835

SUPERB STAFFORDSHIRE GREEN TRANSFERWARE SOUP PLATE

AESOP'S FABLES 

THE LION IN LOVE

Copeland and Garrett ~ New Blanche

Staffordshire, England  1833 - 1847

This outstanding and rare soup type plate measures 9 7/8 inches wide.  It is crisply transfer printed in a rich green.

The plate has a wonderful irregularly scalloped edge and a border pattern of trios of large flowers separated by hydrangea blossoms, Fox heads and wild roses.

The central image illustrates the fable by Aesop of The Dog and the Sheep:   

A LION once fell in love with a beautiful maiden and proposed marriage to her parents. The old people did not know what to say. They did not like to give their daughter to the Lion, yet they did not wish to enrage the King of Beasts. At last the father said: “We feel highly honoured by your Majesty’s proposal, but you see our daughter is a tender young thing, and we fear that in the vehemence of your affection you might possibly do her some injury. Might I venture to suggest that your Majesty should have your claws removed, and your teeth extracted, then we would gladly consider your proposal again.” The Lion was so much in love that he had his claws trimmed and his big teeth taken out. But when he came again to the parents of the young girl they simply laughed in his face, and bade him do his worst.

The Moral of the Story:   LOVE CAN TAME THE WILDEST.

The plate displays beautifully and is in Excellent condition.