Wood & Brownfield (Firm)

This earthenware was made by the company Wood & Brownfield located in Cobridge, England, in the years 1841-1850. It is decorated with floral motifs with blue underglaze on an off-white ground, and is known as Flowing Blue, a cobalt blue on white ironstone that has been let flow in the firing. Its designs are usually copies of Chinese motifs. The set belonged to the China trader, Nathan Dunn (1782-1844), a prominent Quaker who was a major benefactor of Haverford College. According to family lore, Dunn purchased it in England early in 1842 when he went to London to display his Chinese Exhibition and that he used it when he entertained Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.