Alfred Meakin Birds of America ‘White Crowned Sparrow’ Large Plate No. 114

This is a nice example of a dinner plate from the ‘Birds of America’ collection by Alfred Meakin. The plate has a scalloped, slightly everted rim and is moulded with vertical ribs above a band of stylised flowers and foliage in relief. The centre is recessed and is decorated with a transfer printed design consisting of a pair of ‘ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS’ or ‘White Crowned Sparrows’ perched on a piece of stylised vine. The base is plain and marked in the centre with the words ‘PLATE # 114 ZONOTRICHIA LEUCOPHRYS REPRODUCED FROM THE ELEPHANT FOLIO EDITION OF AUDUBON’S BIRDS OF AMERICA ENDORSED BY NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY NEW YORK WHITE CROWNED SPARROW’. Above this is the maker’s mark, ‘ALFRED MEAKIN’ in green. The Audubon Society is committed to conserving and restoring ecosystems and wildlife (predominantly birds) and has been in existence for over a century. The plate has a diameter of approximately 27.6cm. It is in excellent condition, with no chips or cracks, although there are three trivet marks on the back. These are manufacturing artefacts. There is also some fine crazing to the glaze.