• Harkening to the Victorian/Edwardian era, this is a set of five antique bone dishes made by John Maddock & Sons in the late 1800s in Burslem, England. 
• Backstamped with the maker, the maker's crown logo, and the words "Royal Vitreous." 
• Royal Vitreous was a marketing term used by British pottery manufacturers (including John Maddock & Sons) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to describe high-quality, non-porous earthenware. Later known as "ironstone," royal vitreous was designed to mimic the durability and translucent finish of porcelain while remaining more affordable for everyday use. 
• Bone plates were commonly used in the Victorian/Guilded Age (1800's/early 1900's) as part of a formal place setting. Nestled to the left of a dinner plate, the bone plate was for discarded fish or chicken bones, shrimp tails, etc. 
• Today, these dishes are also ideal for sauces, condiments and small bites on a charcuterie tray.
• The organic shape and glossy white finish complements all table settings - from their original Victorian tablemates to MCM to contemporary!

As with most ironstone, there are some surface irregularities. One plate has a small, pale brown spot of discoloration. (See last picture.)