From the Stoke-On-Trent pottery works of George Jones, a spectacular three piece majolica sardine box, Staffordshire, England, dated 1870.

In a lovely soft color palette of lilac pink and gray with green acanthus leaves, and a yellow ochre rope border. The lid shows three overlapping sardines on a bed of seaweed. The box has a base of running upright acanthus leaves with a nautical rope border. The under tray is fitted to hold the sardine box and repeats the complimentary border of leaves and roping. A soft pink interior.

The base of the box and under tray are glazed to resemble a mottled tortoise shell. Both pieces are marked – the box with the raised George Jones pad mark, the tray with the “thumb print” bearing a pattern number and the impressed GJ.

Under plate: 8.5 in. L x 7.5 in. W x 1 in. H

Box: 6.0 in. L x 5 in. W x 2.5 in. H

Height: 4 in. H assembled.

In very good antique condition. The expected flaking to the rim of the box, unseen with the lid seated. Minor flea bites to the underside of the lid, unseen when seated.