A great looking antique aesthetic movement soup tureen by a renowned maker, Edge Malkin & Co of Middleport and Newport Potteries, Burslem, Staffordshire. Dating from circa 1880, the name of the pattern - Empress -  is included in the printed mark to the base.

The oval shaped, footed tureen has a very typical aesthetic movement design, transfer printed in dark grey and then hand coloured with shades of peach lustre, pink, yellow, green, blue and orange. It features exotic birds, urns of flowers including roses, decorative scrolls, trailing foliage and butterflies in flight. There is gilded highlighting to the two ornate handles at the sides and the handle to the lid.  There is a slot or notch at the side of the lid where a ladle would sit. 

The tureen has a capacity of 2 1/2 pints and it is a heavy piece at 1666g, so when packed cannot go by Royal Mail. It stands approximately 21 cm high and is 30 cm long by 19cm wide. It is in  very good antique condition with just a very minor amount of discolouration to the inside, commensurate with age and use. A lovely, decorative item to add to any collection and a great display piece.