Green Majolica Sunflower Plates by Wedgwood, circa 1880

The sunflower, alongside the calla lily and peacock feather, became an emblem of the late nineteenth-century Aesthetic Movement. Oscar Wilde became an emphatic advocate of the flower, writing that it was “a perfect model of design most naturally adapted for decorative art” (“The English Renaissance of Art,” 1882).

As the color green also became a favorite of the Aesthetes, the Wedgwood company capitalized on the trend with its green majolica sunflower design. First appearing around 1860, this pattern proved extremely popular and was produced well into the twentieth century. These dishes would have contributed to an artistic interior which functioned as a sanctuary for beauty in daily life.

Dimensions: 8 1/2 in. Dm x 1/2 in. H (21.6 cm Dm x 1.2 cm H)
Condition: Excellent overall. Some minor chips to a couple dishes’ rims. One dish with hairline extending from rim towards center of dish approximately 5.5 cm, visible on front and back (see Image 11, bottom center at 5 o’clock position).

Notes:

In this pattern, we also have a pair of serving dishes (Ref. LU5643224911182).

Please note that while all these dishes are in the same ‘Sunflower’ pattern, they are a matched set and are therefore not completely identical (see images for 2 different dishes).

These Wedgwood majolica sunflower plates may be purchased in smaller quantities (as a set of 8, 10, or 12).