Earthenware mess plate, transfer-printed in blue with a central circle enclosing a foul anchor and 'MESS No 21'. The border is printed with four scenes representing the four seasons: ice skating on a frozen lake with mountains in the background; dancing around a maypole; raking hay; and reaping the harvest. The designs are placed within an outer border of roses. Before 1907 naval messes had to buy their own crockery and such items were manufactured for this market.