Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812 - 1852) for Minton & Co.

encaustic terracotta, the centre decorated with stylised wheat sheaves and the rim inscribed 'Waste Not Want Not'

This plate has been restored. The original crack runs diagonally from the word 'Not' on the left-hand side to the flowerhead between 'Not and 'Want' on the right-hand side.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A similar plate was shown at the first Exhibition of British Manufacturers, Birmingham, 1849, and then again to tremendous acclaim at the Great Exhibition of 1851. 'Broadly acknowledged to be one of the key icons of the Victorian Gothic Revival... this is the only one [of Pugin's encaustic plates] that was truly successful' (Megan Aldrich et al, A.W.N. Pugin, Master of Gothic Revival, New York, 1995, p. 362).

An identical example is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (Paul Atterbury and Clive Wainwright, Pugin, A Gothic Passion, London, 1994, fig. 260).