My friend Myrna has talked about the existence of a pottery God, who occasionally smiles on collectors, allowing them to track down a yearned for and elusive object – perhaps to complete a series or to pair.  Well, I'm now a believer.  In my October 15th blog post, I put out a request for an image of a rare hand-painted ship plaque I'd bid on several years ago. I hoped the collector who bought it might get in touch. They didn't (they very seldom do). But the plaque came up for auction a couple of weeks later in the US, and it now sits on my shelves. So here's that better image I wanted.

The ship is more proficiently painted than I'd imagined. Clearly the design is incomplete, as it has rubbed away over the years. A few finely painted curves in the upper half give scant clues to what is missing.  The plaque has an indistinct 'Dixon Co' impress (see below).

I will shortly add the image to the rare ships page, so it can sit together with its pair.