A scroll, depicting a seated Chinese personage of high status and his attendants, unfurls boldly across the plate surface in this early Masons Ironstone pattern. Too great in scale to be contained by the conventional border used for most tableware, the scroll sits upon a continuous patterned ground with only a thin red line at the plate's edge. Along the edges are scattered flowers, some of a surprisingly European style and all conveying an unmistakable freshness. Oval reserves at the top and bottom return to the Asian tradition with traditional groups of objects.

A variety of soft, almost pastel, enamel tones, with dominant elements in pink, balance the black transfer patterned ground and prevent any sense of disharmony or harshness.

Two manufacturers dominate the field of English stone china; Masons and Spode.  The earliest patterns of both find roots in the Chinese export wares favored for generations by the aristocracy.  In fact, Spode had developed a business in custom replacements and additions for these services, which gave them access to a variety of sources for their own early patterns.  Masons origins as retailers serving the same upper classes with Chinese export wares among other luxury items gave them a similar perspective on the tastes of the wealthy.  Comparison of wares by both manufacturers, however, reveals a greater sense of spontaneity, even playfulness, in Masons, versus the quieter, conservative approach favored by Spode. This  divergence becomes more marked over time as Masons expanded their offerings to give access to a broader customer base.

For customer convenience, given their size relative to modern tableware, we refer to these two "Scroll" pattern plates as salad plates.  Originally, however, they would have been part of a dessert service, accompanied by a variety of shaped dishes, and compotes.