A rare and early delftware Fecundity dish dated 1638, the oval form moulded in high relief with Venus reclining and attended by putti at various pursuits, inscribed '1638 I N', the rim with eight oval and circular recessed wells painted with leaf motifs, between raised motifs of fruit baskets and masks, the whole decorated in a palette of blue, green and yellow, restored, 49.6cm. Provenance: acquired from, Christie's, 2nd June 1975, lot 280, formerly in the collection of Dr J. Franklin and sold at Sotheby's, 26th October 1971, lot 11. Illustrated: Louis L. Lipski & Michael Archer, Dated English Delftware, p.38, no.94.