Serving plate, 10 x 9.375 inches. Brown transfer. Printed maker's mark for David Methven & Sons of Kirkcaldy, Scotland. This pattern features two cartouches in a grouping on a bed of flowers and maidenhair ferns that appear twice on the tray seen here. The round cartouche has an image of a windmill from which the pattern name is derived and the rectangular cartouche features a fruit-laden branch. On each handle side a small spray of the same flowers and ferns is placed.

The Links Pottery at Linktown, near Kircaldy, Scotland, had various owners, but is usually known as Methvens. It originated in 1714 as a brick works and was owned by William the father of the celebrated 18th century architects Robert and James Adam. In 1773 the company was bought by its manager, David Methven. Various members of the Methven family took charge over the following years, and in 1892 the pottery was bought by an ex-employee, A. R. Young who had become a partner some twenty years earlier. The company tended to copy successful ranges of other manufacturers and achieved very high output, much of which went for export. Creamware was produced from the mid-19th century, and was usually printed or painted. Methvens closed in 1928.