Minton Majolica Small Jardiniere, realistically molded as a simulated water trough formed by faux wooden staves and pegs, overlain with budding Hawthrone branches, the corners formed as mossy posts, banded near the base with pegged logs, the interior glazed in Minton Blue (turquoise); impressed marks to reverse: 'MINTON,' with British Registry Number for 16 April 1870 (when the design was registered), Minton date cipher for 1871, and the Design Number, '1563,' which corresponds to the entry, 'FLOWER TROUGH (M)' with measurements, in the Minton Ornamental Shapes Books preserved in the Minton Archives and reprinted in Jones, p. 353.* (see footnote).

For 30 years we have been among the world's preeminent specialists in fine antique majolica. *Joan Jones, "MINTON: The First Two Hundred Years of Design and Production." Shrewsbury, England: Swan Hill Press, 1993, Appendix E, p. 353. Minton Ornamental Shapes (i.e., design numbers) listed in Appendix E, pp. 343-377.