An extremely important Derby botanical plate featuring anemones painted by premier artist, William Billingsley, c1795.
 
This must be one of the very few items where an actual design from Billingsley's own sketch book is replicated precisely on to a piece of porcelain. Please see picture 3 for the sketch, which appears in John Twitchett and John Murdoch's book " Painters and the Derby China Works," page 46.
 
The study of the flowers is surrounded by an attractive red rim, featuring various flowers and leaves in white and gilt.
 
Marked with crown, crossed batons, dots and D in blue. No gilder's numbers.
 
In excellent condition, other than some stacking wear.
 
A rare opportunity to acquire such an historically significant piece.