Seashell studies are among our favorite subjects for transfer patterns, and Joseph Stubbs' version with its sense of deep watery blue is one of the most successful among those studies. The salad plate features one shell prominently displayed with a couple of smaller shells nearby. The border framing the study forms a solid cobalt frame decorated with fruit, flowers, urns and flourishes which seems to have just magically opened to reveal the shells among the sea fern on the fine pebbled ocean floor.

According to Coysh and Henrywood, The Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880, Joseph Stubbs potted from 1822 to 1836. We date these plates to the 1820's based on our perception that the dark blue patterns seem to give way to the lighter more pastel transfer colors in the late 1820's or early 30's.

"Salad" plate is a twentieth century term -- used here to communicate the relative size to twentieth century collectors.