A rare Derby heart shaped dessert dish, c1770, painted with a study of a cornflower, pattern 76, said by W. D. John in his book on William Billingsley's life to be one of the set Derby patterns attributed to the artist.
The dish is enhanced with gilding and a laurel leaf border at the rim.
William Billingsley, the famous "Rose Painter" was one of the foremost artists at Derby, going on to experiment with producing porcelain itself in its whitest, most translucent form.  He was responsible for the manufacture of the finest porcelains at Pinxton, Swansea and Nantgarw
The dish is in good condition for its age, but does have some losses to the gilding around the flower study, a small chip at the bottom tip of the dish with associated tiny hairline - not too visible on display.  There is also a little discolouration at the centre of the dish.
I am happy to send further details and photos on request.
Pieces in this pattern are scarce, and the dish represents an inexpensive way of acquiring work by Billingsley, other than the roses he is so famous for.
Marked with the Derby factory mark and pattern number 76.