Pratt Ware Captain Cook Plaque

• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Laurel Leaf - The use of the laurel leaf as a decorative element can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was closely associated with victory and honour. In these cultures, the laurel was a sacred tree that was dedicated to the god Apollo and was believed to have protective and healing properties.
  
  In ancient Greece, the laurel wreath was awarded to victors in athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games, as a symbol of their achievement. The wreath was also associated with academic achievement, and was often worn by scholars and poets. The Greeks also used the laurel leaf as a symbol of victory in war, and it was often depicted in artwork alongside images of triumphant warriors and heroes.
  
  The Romans continued this tradition, and the laurel wreath became a symbol of the highest military honor, the triumph, awarded to victorious generals. The wreath was also used to crown emperors and other important officials, and was often depicted in Roman art and architecture as a symbol of power and authority.
  
  The laurel leaf is still used as a symbol of achievement, success, and excellence, and is frequently used in logos, emblems, and other branding materials. Its association with victory and honour has made it a popular choice for awards, medals, and other forms of recognition.
• Creamware - Creamware, also known as "Queens Ware" is the
  
  cream-coloured English earthenware developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s.
  
  The invention of creamware was the result of experimentation in order to find a
  
  British substitute for imported Chinese porcelain, and the cream colour was
  
  considered a fault at the time. The lightweight fine white earthenware with a
  
  clean rich yellowish proved ideal for  tableware
  
  and decorative items during the 18th and 19th centuries and is still produced
  
  today.
  
  
  Creamware is made from a
  
  mixture of kaolin, feldspar, and ball clay, and is typically glazed before
  
  firing to give it its glossy finish. It was developed by British potters as a
  
  cheaper alternative to porcelain.
  
  
  At Wedgwood, Royal patronage
  
  boosted sales. In 1765 Queen Charlotte, the consort of King George III placed
  
  an order for a 12 place tea set and allowed Wedgwood to use the name
  
  "Queens Ware" for the line. In 1770 Wedgwood produced a creamware
  
  dinner service of 952 pieces supplied to Catherine II the Great of Russia.
  
  
  Other potteries such as
  
  Doulton, Neale & Co. and Spode produced smaller quantities of creamware.
  
  
  Creamware continued to be
  
  made throughout the 19th century and later.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Cook, Captain James - memorabilia 179
• plaques - ceramic, various makers 403
• Pratt Ware (F. & R. Pratt & Co.,) (England) - ceramics 76