We recently purchased two plates in the Mikado pattern. We usually only buy one example of a pattern but, in this instance, the offer was for two plates, so we had no choice but to buy both. And we're so glad that we did!
Our belief previously had been that numbers painted freehand on the base of pieces of pottery were the mark of the person who had added the painted embellishments on the item. The numbers always seem to be painted in the same colour as the painted additions to the pattern and we assumed that each decorator had their own number which they added to show how many pieces they could claim payment for. However, close inspection of these two plates clearly shows that the painting was carried out by two different people ... one of whom was very careful and who obviously took pride in their work and the other who was much less precise, to the extent that they forgot to complete some parts of the pattern (compare the lamps below!). However, both plates bear the same number, 7307, albeit one has the addition of 6N.
So maybe this painted number does not relate to the person who decorated the piece? We would love to hear your views!
Grateful thanks to Clint Ibele for very kindly allowing us to publish these pictures of pieces from the Mikado set which he inherited from his Great Great Grandmother.
Grateful thanks, also to Bonnie of ebay shop, ladyindecadence, for kindly allowing us to publish these pictures of her beautiful multi-coloured plate.