Description:

This molded earthenware plate or tray was printed in brown with one design from a series of Egyptian views that Copeland named Cairo. A border pattern named Arabesque was printed over a warm beige ground.  A blue wash was added to selected elements of the center design.  Portions of red enameling can still be seen on the rim.  The pattern is Copeland's no. 2/1796.  The item's Aesthetic design incorporates a large central scroll-shaped cartouche revealing an imaginary Egyptian scene along with other geometric shapes and contrasting natural elements consisting of birds and blossoming branches. According to Lynne Sussaman, reference Canadian Historic Sites:  Spode/Copeland Transfer Printed Patterns, Copeland introduced this pattern series in 1881. It first appeared in their 1882 catalog. 

Robert Copeland documented the printed mark as having been used from 1882-1894.  This plate itself has an impressed date mark of May, 1880 (5/80).  It is a good example of an item (biscuit) that is impressed dated and inventoried but not printed until a later date, in this case 1882, at the earliest.