A Blue & White 19th Century, Ceramic Turkey Platter

The Company

Samuel Alcock & Co., a pottery manufacturer, was established in 1826 by Samuel Alcock after his partnership with Ralph Stevenson and Augustus Aldborough Lloyd Williams dissolved. The company operated in Cobridge and Burslem, producing porcelain, parian, and earthenware. Samuel Alcock purchased and renovated the Hill Pottery works in Burslem in 1832. The company thrived under his leadership until his death in 1848, after which it was managed by his wife Elizabeth and sons until its bankruptcy and closure in 1859. The company was known for its use of the beehive mark and for exporting goods, notably to India. For more detailed information, visit our links tab for  Samuel Alcock and Co.

The Serving Dish Crica 1828 to 1840

The serving dish in the pictures is composed of two components: the inner draining dish and the outer dish with the inset feature where all the juices would collect. Presumably, these juices can be utilized to elevate the flavour of any gravy made with the cooked bird.

How it got to Varna?

It is believed that a dish of this calibre may have made its way to Varna during the movement of officers in the Crimean War of the 1850’s , when Varna served as a command and control logistics forward post.  It is highly likely that this China dish would have been on the officer’s or General’s table at that time and latterly left behind. It eventually ended up in the possession of a prestigious household in Varna and has been passed down through generations to be displayed today at the museum.

Ethonograpic Museum in Varna

This excellent specimen of nineteenth-century English pottery may be seen at the Ethonograpic Museum in Varna and is well worth seeing.

• Tik Tok Entry for Cermic Turkey Platter

• The Potteries
• Wikipedia on Samuel Alcock
• Ethnogrphic Museum Varna

• The Potteries
• Wikipedia on Samuel Alcock
• Ethnogrphic Museum Varna