Wedgwood's "Panama" pattern is a complex arrangement of japanesque ground patterns and borders interspersed with floral sprays and blocks of fruit and greenery reminiscent of a William Morris wallpaper pattern. The pattern turns on a central study of a bird perched on an exotic flowering branch. Following the fashion of the day, this study is presented on a vertical panel which cuts across a circular patchwork of ground patterns and floral reserves.

In this version, the pattern is executed in black transfer on an ivory body. The panel of bird and blossoms is lightly highlighted in delicate pastel blue and pink enamels in contrast to floral and fruit reserves washed in shimmering ochre lustre. Finally, a striking red-orange enamel highlights the floral sprays around the border and finishes the plate with a stripe around the outside edge.

The sizes of the two available plates are noted below. In today's terms these would be considered dinner and luncheon plates. The dinner plate is shown in the detail images.

Wedgwood's "Panama" pattern seems to have enjoyed a long life. These examples carry date codes from the early 1880's indicating introduction in the midst of the aesthetic / reform design movement. We also have seen pieces marked "Made In England" indicating production into the second decade of the twentieth century.