Keeping the dinner warm was easily solved at Clendon House with the use of a food-warming plate (pictured).  In the rim of the plate is a hole with a cork stopper where hot water – heated by a fire or on the open range – was poured in order to heat the plate, thus keeping the food warm.

This plate, made by Hope & Carter, an English pottery firm, was manufactured between 1862 and 1880.   The plate features the popular blue and white colouring and is patterned with the ‘Chain’ pattern.