Victorian George Jones Majolica Bird's Nest Strawberry Tray c.1870

A lovely decorative majolica strawberry server tray by George Jones. It is of trefoil shape set up on a deep collet foot. Set among branches and twigs are two beautifully modelled birds' nests to house pots for cream and sugar. The dish has a lovely turquoise ground with detailed moulded decoration of ferns coming from the base of the nests, leafy twigs and blossom coming in from the edges as though the branches of the tree run around the rim, and a central flowering strawberry vine. The dish originally would have had a bird perched between the two nests and this area has been superbly and tastefully restored so to be unnoticeable. Applied clay factory mark to the underside and Victorian registration lozenge stamp, dating for 1870. Referenced: George Jones Ceramics by Cluett.