Plate, 9.5 inches diameter. Red transfer. Printed and impressed maker's marks for J. & M. P. Bell & Co. of Glasgow, Scotland. The Rd. No. indicates a pattern registration date of 1887. "Peacock & Lilies" is one of the export patterns produced by the Bells for the South East Asia market. It is the only such pattern with an English name. Marketing agents decided it would be better to use Malaysian titles. The central image here consists of a peacock beneath a scene of waterlilies and a butterfly. The border consists of alternating panels containing butterflies and potted palms and the Japanese geometric patterns kumi kikko (tortoise shell) and sayagata (interlocking swastikas).
J. & M. P. Bell & Co. was established in late 1840 or 1841, at the corner of Stafford St. and Pulteney St., Glasgow, by brothers John and Matthew Perston Bell. The initial partnership traded as J.& M. P. Bell, earthenware manufacturers. Quite quickly afterwards this became J.& M. P. Bell & Co. The reason for the change was the acquisition of a third partner, Robert Clough (sometimes spelt Cleugh). Matthew died in 1870 and his brother John, in 1880.
John Murdoch, a manager of the firm, continued trading as J. & M. P. Bell Co. Ltd. from 7 February 1881. The limited company was very successful. It was a time of great innovation and probably the most prolific period in the pottery’s history. Designs were changed, production soared and the export trade certainly was well established both with the Far East and other areas nearer home. The last piece was probably made around 1912 before the site was taken over by Joseph Turner, a previous Secretary of the company, who took over part of the works for the resale of imported Staffordshire & Czech wares.
