Large Victorian Hand-Painted Terracotta Plaque Signed Ralph J. MacKay Dated 1880

A large circular terracotta plaque or charger, featuring a hand-painted naturalistic botanical and entomological study. The composition is centred around broad leaves in varying shades of green and autumnal brown, possibly dock or tobacco, interspersed with sprigs of red sorrel and wild white blossoms. A cluster of chamomile or feverfew flowers is depicted to the lower right. The scene is animated by two insects: a Red Admiral butterfly in flight to the upper left and a small white butterfly or moth perched on the flowers. The entire design is executed on a solid terracotta-toned ground. The work is signed to the lower edge in paint Ralph J. MacKay 1880. The reverse features a stamped rectangular supplier mark for EWENS, Carver, Gilder, AND ARTISTS COLOURMAN Gloucester.