Pair of Rare Minton ‘Japanese Crane’ Pattern Celadon Plates, designed by Christopher Dresser, 1872

A pair of small plates by Minton in the Japanese Crane pattern on a rare celadon base. Flying cranes are depicted around the rim above waves. Minton impress mark as well as transfer-printed Minton mark and pattern name Japanese Crane. Patent registration diamond mark for 10 December 1872. Each plate have a shallow chip to the front edge, one of which has been repaired.

The Minton factory archive holds two watercolour designs of flying cranes signed by Dresser. This pattern was widely used by Minton on a number of shapes. The design registered by Minton in 1872 was in the form of a circle for a plate (Patent Office Register of Ornamental Designs, vol.BT 43/69, design no.268725). The British Museum has a jardiniere in this pattern (1993,0507.1).

Christopher Dresser (1834 –1904) was born in Glasgow of a Yorkshire family. At age 13, he began attending the Government School of Design, Somerset House, London. He was a pivotal figure in the Aesthetic Movement and a major contributor to the allied Anglo-Japanese or Modern Style (British Art Nouveau style), both of which originated in England and had long-lasting international influence.

In 1876, the British Government appointed Dresser as an emissary to Japan and sent him to visit Japan after he became associated with Japanese art in 1862. Dresser recorded his impressions in ‘Japan, its Architecture, Art and Art-Manufactures’. He represented the South Kensington Museum whilst in Japan, and was received at court by the Emperor, who ordered Dresser to be treated as a guest of the nation. His pioneering study of Japanese art is evident in much of his work which is considered typical of the Anglo-Japanese style.