Antique Staffordshire gilt imari covered tureen with flower bud finial. This ornate embossed Staffordshire covered tureen dates to the 19th century and has been decorated in a floral pattern executed in a rich imari palette of underglaze cobalt blue accented with iron red paint and lavish gilt accents. The base is elevated on scrolling feet and has embossed detail at the handles in the form of stylized acanthus leaves with shell-like shapes at either end. The face of the piece features a profusion of flowers and foliage finished in saturated shades of rust, pink, yellow and celadon green. The flowers are arranged in a cobalt blue vase accented with gilt which is set within a rust decorative scrolling border. The interior and exterior of the base are further decorated with additional groupings of flowers which coordinate with those found in the central image. The lid of the tureen is has a lobed shape and is topped with an unusual finial in the shape of a large dimensional flower bud set in the center of three embossed leaves. As seen in the apanying photographs, the flower and leaves have been heavily accented in gilt. The lid also has a rust colored scrolling band while the sides are decorated in colorful floral groupings. The tureen is in very good condition with no chips or repairs and displays beautifully. That said, it should be noted that there is a stable tight hairline located on the underside of the tureen's rim near one of the handles, best seen by the right handle in photo 5 when using the zoom function. As an antique item, the piece shows additional signs of age including fine crazing in the glaze, minor areas of wear to the gilding and shelf wear to the feet. There are also production related anomalies present including flecks of material caught in the glaze and spots of discoloration, all of which aremonly found in antique transferware and are mentioned for accuracy. The piece stands 7" as measured to the top of the finial. The base is 12" across as measured from the opposite edges of the handles and 10.125" wide. The foot is 7.75" by 7". The dimensions at the base of the lid are 9.125" by 8.25. The base is marked with the backstamp used by Morley & Ashworth consisting of the old Royal Coat of Arms which has been transfer printed in blue. The mark includes the Lion and Unicorn which flank a shield surmounted by a crown and lion. The Royal motto "DIEU ET MON DROIT" appears beneath along with the pattern number "3225" hand painted in orange. The lidded tureen weighs in at 4lbs 10oz. This striking covered tureen would be a great addition to a collection of English ironstone and coordinates well with the many gilt imari patterns produced by the various Staffordshire potteries. The tureen also works equally well as a stand alone piece. A lovely and unusual antique find!