Plate, 8.75 inches diameter (22.2cm). Black transfer with polychrome clobbering and gilding. Impressed maker's mark for George Jones & Sons and a painted pattern number "5441." This imaginative pattern features an exotic scene playing to the Victorian fascination with the Near and Far East. The figure seated on the low stool plays a mizmÄr or zurna, used in Arabic music at weddings and for belly dancing. The standing figure is dancing and both are wearing non-Western clothing. In the foreground a squat, Oriental-type vase with long prunus branches sits. The background is divided in half with a botanical-printed fabric screen on the left and a folding screen on the right. In between a river and mountain are featured.
At the age of 14 George Jones started a seven-year apprenticeship with Minton. After completion in 1844 he worked as a traveling salesman for Wedgwood. By 1850 George had established himself as a successful pottery merchant and by 1856 he had opened a pottery showroom in Glebe Street, Stoke. George started manufacturing around 1861 at the Bridge Works, Stoke, as George Jones & Co. In 1864 he purchased land from Colin Minton Campbell and in 1865 the company moved to the newly built factory - the Trent Potteries. Production of majolica ware started in 1865. From 1872 china production was started. By 1873 the two eldest sons, Frank Ralph Jones and George Henry Jones became partners in the business which was renamed George Jones & Sons. 'Crescent' was registered as a trademark for the new company. At this time the business had 590 employees. In 1894 the business was incorporated as George Jones and Sons Ltd. George Jones died in 1893 and the business continued under the name 'George Jones & Sons.' Around 1907 the works were renamed 'Crescent Potteries.'
