This delightful item was designed by Maureen Tanner in the late 1950's for Foley, a firm well-known for specialising in ceramic 'fancies'.  She was one of a group of talented Royal College of Art graduates taken on by the firm, and this dish is part of a collection designed by her called "The Gay Nineties".  These spare line designs were only made possible by the development of photolithography.  The simple stylised manner shows the influence of Tanner's travels in Italy.

The dish depicts a jolly scene of rowing boats, a pier, a smiling sun, fluffy clouds and a shoal of fish dashing by.  It effortlessly conjures up a bracing day out at the seaside, possibly Brighton.  The colours are barely there: yellow, pale blue and pink, and they cleverly do not overwhelm the delicacy of the line drawing.

The dish is in perfect condition with no chips, crazing or cracks.

It is marked on the base "The Gay Nineties  Designed by Maureen Tanner  Foley Bone China  Made in England".  It measures 13cms by 13cms at the widest point and weighs 155gms.