Description:  Believed to be unique and used as a bulb tray.  It is not illustrated in either of Jane Wilson’s or Herbert Schiffer’s books. This elaborately shaped and difficult to make octagonal tray has curved rims in the corners. Cachpots would have held round pots which would not have been suitable for this form. It would have held dirt or pebbles in which bulbs/plants would have been grown.

All 8 sides are decorated; however, the interior is not, probably because it would be covered up by the dirt or pebbles. The 5/8″ wide top rim and the 1/2″ wide side rim are nice decorative touches. There are four 3/8″ high stepped feet in each corner.  The bottom is glazed.

There is an anomaly with the decoration, have you discovered what it is? This bulb tray does not have a rain cloud border that would be appropiate to its age. There is no doubt in our minds that this form belongs in the Canton pattern family.