Featured Unusual curved dish Circa 1870

I have this unusual curved dish? that I am needing help in identifying it's purpose. It has a faint diamond registration mark on the base. I can just about see it is the later diamond with letter C for 1870.

It looks quite contemporary so was surprised to see the diamond mark.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

it's in great condition....but that alone doesn't make it newer..

please show the mark..

 

It's the British diamond mark to date and photo is attached. Sorry it's not a good photo as the mark is very faint. There are no makers marks.

 

never seen anything like it before, but a great little thing with fantastic design

a nice quality as well

i would also have never guessed from that period, but there you go

 

M

 

Maybe part of a "Surtout de Table", an assembly of pieces designed to cover a table top.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

AKA posy trough
old listing:
**MINTON MAJOLICA RIBBON FLOWER TROUGH - NO RESERVE** | #142991108

 

Not sure that they had posy troughs back then, but those Victorians had an implement or vessel for everything! I was thinking maybe a place for ribbons or collar/vest buttons, etc., something curved. (I know nada about Victorian fashion, LOL!)

 

hmmm i do like the collar thought, would have to be more rounded, unless a collar sat on the outside of it

any chance of a few measurements ?

completely wild suggestion i know

 

This old listing says it's a pen stand. Not sure if that's accurate. Made by John Millar. Unfortunately their photo of the impressed mark isn't that great.

 

I think they goofed. It looks more like something meant to hold ribbons. Straight dip pens would never fit into that, and if the did getting them out would be a trick. Hair ribbons would be logical.

 

very good lead though j.b

 

I can't find much info about the John Millar pottery. There is a listing from Slater's Commercial Directory of Scotland from 1860:

 

looks way to big for a collar

 

I did find that John Millar lived from 1805-1875. He started his pottery in 1840.

 

After doing some reading I don't think John Millar made this but was the retailer. My first impression was that it was made by Minton's. After checking the registrations for 1870 I think it might have been. There is no record that Millar was a manufacturer. Is that a C or G for the month code on your diamond?

An 1867 ad:


An 1852 bill showing the store:

 

the blue on the other example is very mintons, so not a bad hypothesis at all