Taylor & Kent (Longton 1876-1982) was china and Majolica manufacturers at the Florence Works, High Street, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.
Many sources give the foundation date as 1867 - Jewitt's book 'Ceramic Art of Great Britain 1800-1900' states "Messrs. Taylor & Kent were established at the Florence Works in 1867" - however the date on the frontage of the works is clearly '1876', so perhaps there was a typing error in Jewitt's book which has been continued by others.
Although the company retained the name 'Taylor & Kent' it was controlled by the Kent family from an early age. The company closed temporarily from 1941 for the duration of the Second World War. In 1947 it was purchased by two brothers - Oswald and Derek Shufflebottom, the company name 'Taylor & Kent' was unchanged. In 1961 the company used the trade name 'Elizabethan China' In 1982 the company became 'Elizabethan Fine Bone China Ltd'
The item is a very beautiful squared cake or biscuit plate. The plate is decorated in soft pastel pink and crisp white with gold trimmings. On the inside of the plate is a lovely rose and floral detail appearing to float. The plate also has embossed scroll patterning on the handles.
The plate is stamped underneath Bone China, with a horse print Taylor & Kent, Longton England.
The plate is in very good vintage condition with very slight gold loss in the trimmings.
Height: 2 cm, Diameter of base: 13 cm, Rim: 23.5 cm, Handle to handle: 24.8 cm
