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Luke Honey | Decorative Antiques, Chess, Backgammon & Games

pealware-commemorative-nursery-plate-circa-1840

July 10, 2020

A rather interesting nursery or child's plate, dating from the 1840s. This 'Bishop of Heliopolis' transfer was later recycled for use on an otherwise similar plate commemorating the christening of the Princess Royal ('Vicky', German Empress and Queen of Prussia 1840-1901) in February, 1841.

Nonnus was a legendary 4th or 5th century Christian Saint, who 'by reason of his virtuous life' became Bishop of Heliopolis in Egypt, and supposedly baptised 30,000 into the Christian faith. The congregation is depicted in the fashions of the 1830s/40s.