This white oval plate with a dainty green border and self-pattern was made by the famous ceramics manufacturer Johnson Brothers of England. The pattern was patented on April 15th 1902. The serving plate is typical of dinnerware brought into Australia by migrants or importers of pottery and used in Australian households, giving many years of service. The Johnson Brothers firm was established by Frederick Johnson in 1883, at works in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Frederick was later joined by his brothers Henry and Robert. The company's focus was to supply the export market. In 1968 the company became part of the Wedgewood Group. J. & G. Meakin Eagle Pottery temporarily took over the tableware division in 2000, and China took over all Johnson Bros. products in 2003. All of the Wedgewood Group was taken over by Fiskers in 2015, who discontinued the Johnson Brothers line of products. This serving plate is an example of domestic crockery used in Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It originated from England and was made by a well-known ceramic manufacturer.Plate, oval, earthenware, scalloped edge with impressed pattern and border of small green leaves. Maker's mark and name is on reverse. Pattern was patented on April 15th 1902. Made by Johnson Bros. of England.Maker's Mark; [Crown symbol] above "JOHNSON BROS, ENGLAND" "PATD APRIL 15TH 1902"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, dinnerware, serving plate, johnson bros, english serving plate, green leaf border, oval plate, platter, chinaware, plateware, crockery, chine, porcelain, earthenware

This serving meat plate/platter dates to the 1914 to 1930's period in time. This was a period when fine bone china and crockery was imported from England or Europe (mainly Germany). It was highly regarded not only as good crockery but also a linkage to "mother" England and showed a that the family was "well to do". This plate has important relevance to the socio- economical "atmosphere" of rural life (Kiewa Valley) in the early 20th Century. The quality of good English merchandise and the "British best" attitude of the Australian psyche of this period, especially in rural regions, was strongly entrenched into the population. However after World War II this psyche changed drastically as European refugees from war torn Europe "invaded" the mainly "British" based cultural mores. This was the beginning of cultural diversity and rolled out onto multi-culturalism of the latter 20th Century. This large bone china oval shaped serving plate has a green floral pattern around the the base extending up the sides, similar to the "Brussels" pattern. The top edge is delineated with a swirling pattern emphasised with gold leaf. On the rim and detailing 15mm before the edge are oyster or scollop like bubbles in three rows.manufacturers stamp (dating manufacture 1914-1925) and numbered "36" domestic kitchen crockery, english crockery, serving plates and platters