For those of a scientific bent in the Eighteenth Century, conchology--the collection and study of seashells, was a popular pursuit; it was in fact one of Josiah Wedgwood's fields of study. That interest is reflected in the painstakingly detailed engraved images of shells--identifiable as specific species--that are scattered across the surfaces of this pattern, featured exclusively on earthenware dessert services. Each shell study is highlighted by a solid wash of a slightly bluish green enamel; the same that is used for a simple stripe at the edge.

The pattern, when first introduced in the late 1770's, was featured on cream ware with a "shell" edge. The slightly more blue-white pearlware was introduced in 1779, and it is safe to assume that our example represents a second generation of the pattern. In addition, the smooth striped edge reflects a later more restrained taste than the ruffled Rococo era shell edge.

Credit for the development of this pattern is given to Sadler and Green, the Liverpool print operation Wedgwood depended upon for decoration of earthenware from the 1760's until at least Josiah's death in 1795.

The combination of printing and enameling was a ticklish issue at Wedgwood in this early period. Josiah favored the decorating strategy; Bentley opposed it. The techniques were combined infrequently. The disagreement may explain the use of this pattern only on dessert services rather than larger scale dinner sets. Robin Reilly tells the story in detail in Wedgwood Vol.I (part 2, section 6).