The phrase ‘fine china’ gets bandied around a lot, but it doesn’t get any finer than this. These plates are fairly plain looking at a glance, but their floral border betrays a deeper heritage.

Wandering in the spring gardens, blossoms whirl through the air and flowers erupt from their beds, bending under their own, colourful, weight. It takes a master gardener to tame a riot of life and colour like this, but that’s just what this plate has done.

The border is actually only a part of a greater, incredibly rare design, from an original piece so prized that they’ve got one in the Met Museum. Let’s put it this way, a pair of soup bowls from the original set are currently at auction for $9,000 at Sotheby’s. In our opinion though, the complete design is a bit much – this border-only archival revival tones things down to reveal an understated, dainty floral motif which would otherwise be lost amongst the bright colours.

These exquisite plates can be used as a charger plate for your lunch or dinner parties. Or you could use them for a glamorous tea party in the garden.

Care instructions: Dishwasher safe although we recommend washing by hand to maintain these pieces for longer, especially with their metallic decoration.

Tobacco Leaf China Charger/Display Plate