Myott Blue Willow Transferware Oval Platter

This is a vintage oval serving platter featuring the classic 'Willow' or 'Blue Willow' pattern, produced by the British manufacturer Myott, Sons & Co. The piece is constructed from fine earthenware (ironstone) with an off-white or cream-colored base glaze. The decoration is applied via transfer printing in a deep cobalt blue. The central landscape features the traditional iconography of the Willow pattern: two birds in flight, a willow tree, three figures on a bridge, a pagoda, and a boat. This central scene is framed by a geometric diaper-pattern border with butterfly and scroll motifs interspersed along the rim. The platter displays a slightly scalloped or softened oval edge, characteristic of mid-20th-century production, likely dating between the 1930s and 1950s. Regarding condition, the glaze appears intact with a healthy shine, though there is visible light discoloration or 'crazing' on the outer rim surface, which is common in older English porous-body earthenware. There are no large chips or structural cracks visible from the top view, and the transfer application is crisp with minimal bleed. The craftsmanship reflects the industrial quality of the Staffordshire potteries, showing high-detail engraving and a durable, heavy-weight ceramic body meant for utilitarian dining use.