Longton Hall Dish #2

This is a Longton Hall leaf-molded dish, c. 1755. This highly decorative dish has the kind of unusual shape that Longton Hall is noted for—their shapes are nearly always unique to this factory. It is 10 inches long, molded in the form of overlapping lettuce leaves, and one finds it easy to imagine small pieces of fruit or tiny pastries laid out on it for a dinner party. Lettuce leaves were often laid on top of dishes to serve as a backdrop for small fruit or pastries placed on them. But what was a hostess to do when it wasn’t the season for lettuce? Use a porcelain dish with lettuce that never lost its shine or appeal. This dish has one leaf tip well-repaired and some sections of the glaze have tiny bubbles from overfiring in the kiln. This piece belongs to a very good friend of mine. Please email me for more information or other pictures.