Plate, 11 inches diameter. Black transfer with gilding. The mark on the back is a printed shield with the pattern name "Orchid" inside and the initials of the maker G. T. M. at the top. Stoke, the city where the pottery was located is under the shield with a misprinted Rd. No. The pattern has several orchids at the top where a center image is shown here. Two humming birds are flying around and feeding on the blossoms. The smaller floral groups around the rest of the plate are attracting the many small butterflies in the pattern.

George Thomas Mountford had a long career in the pottery industry that likely resulted from family connections. Born about 1816 to potter William Mountford, he began working in the industry by age twenty-three and rose through the ranks as a press molder, oven man, manager, and finally a manufacturer, by 1863. The firm Mountford and (Uriah) Thomas was the result of a number of short-lived partnerships that George Mountford was involved in during the first half of 1881. Beginning with Hall, Miller & Mountford (which lasted until March of that year), the firm was reformed as Hall, Mountford & Thomas, an operation that lasted only through July 1881. Mountford & Thomas was the longest lasting of these firms and in operation until April 1888. The Alexander Pottery was founded in the early part of the 19th century and was taken over by George Thomas Mountford in 1888 producing earthenware goods. In 1898 the company was purchased by the Myott family and the name was changed to Myott, Son & Co.