The centre depicts a landscape with a large tree overhanging a cascading stream, with figures strolling on the banks and buildings on the right, with partially wooded hills receding into the distance.
The rim is decorated with four putti supporting abundantly flowered swags between a shell ornament on the upper border and winged putto mask on the lower rim, 23cm.
Brownlow, 9th Earl of Exeter (1725-1793), who travelled to Italy on two occasions, was very much drawn to the subject matter and colours of Italian majolica and purchased a considerable number of pieces.
On the reverse of the frame surrounding this dish he wrote, in his very distinctive hand: ‘Bought in Naples, 1763.’
The 1763 Burghley Inventory records: ‘the bed chamber, 2’d George Room…….2 Old painted Dishes in Black Frames.’ See CER0711.
