At the opening of the nineteenth century new forms came into vogue, the pair of Coasters illustrated (p. [169]) are of an unusual design where four scrolls ornament the rims. These scrolls have the suggestion of French First Empire decorative work found in domestic ornament and embodying bronze work sphinxes, griffons and other bold designs adapted reminiscent of Herculaneum. These coasters have turned wooden bottoms.
Another Coaster (p. [169]), in date 1810, has a broad beaded pattern at edge and a turned wooden bottom with a silver boss in the centre. This particular style has become a favourite and has been duplicated indefinitely and is known as familiarly the world over. In this it resembles the success of the willow pattern plate which, as a piece of pseudo-Chinese design, won the admiration of the public in the eighteenth century, and has been made by all the Staffordshire potters almost as a stock pattern.
On the same page is a later Decanter Stand, about 1815 in date, having a turned wooden bottom with silver boss in centre. It is vertically fluted, and has a heavy moulded border of scroll design. It will be seen how far this example has departed from the fine character of the types which were being made in the great period prior to 1790. The love for ornament ran riot. It was misplaced and heavy mouldings and solid ornaments were added to articles that could not stand such meaningless exuberances and carefully executed details which choked all natural simplicity of line.
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED COASTERS.
Lip decorated with scalloped floral design. Turned wooden bottom with plated boss. Date 1820.
Interior of above. Diameter 6⅛ in.
(At the Sheffield Public Museum.
(Reproduced by permission of the Corporation of Sheffield.)