I am happy to present a very rare boxed Botanic Garden 11.5 by 8.5 Cloverleaf tablemat set of four featuring the Night Flowering Cereus, Venus Fly Trap, Spanish Gum Cistus, and Dog Rose. Each arrangement is different than the motif on salad plates. The set is very unique and very rare and comes in the original Portmeirion Clover Leaf box! The Cereus, Venus Fly Trap and Cistus have been retired for many years. Please see below for a description of each flower.

Both the face and cork back of each tablemat is in excellent condition with few, if any, signs of use. Please be sure to see the full description and photos below along with use and care instructions found on the box.


PLEASE NOTE: The color on each mat is even and consistent. My lighting is a little uneven so some parts of the mat look darker than they should. In person there is an even nice white background.

These tablemats (also called Melamats) were made back in the 1970's by Clover Leaf of a melamine surface on a wood-like base with a cork backing. The surface is very fragile and scratches easily. If these were used at all, they were well taken care of. The flower colors are bright and are in excellent condition with NO SCRATCHES, wear, or other signs of use!

There were two sizes made. This set has the larger size.

--> Night Flowering Cactus <---

The Cereus motif, known for its big interesting flower head, was an original 1972 flower on salad plates and retired years ago in 1985. It was inspired by image in an 1824 book,The Universal Herbal by Thomas Green.

--> Venus Fly Trap <---

An interesting plant, The Venus' Flytrap was an original dinner plate motif produced from 1972 until retired in 1995. It was inspired by image in a 1824 book,The Universal Herbal by Thomas Green.

--> Spanish Gum Cistus <---

The Spanish Gum Cistus was an original 1972 bread and butter plate motif and retired in 1985. It can be found on many Portmeirion shapes and is also rarely seen on salad plates in a 'Double' form. When the Spanish Gum Cistus was retired from plates it continued to be used on other shapes such as vases and soup tureens. However, after 1985, it was called the White Cistus and did not carry either a common or latin name. The design was inspired by image in a 1824 book,The Universal Herbal by Thomas Green.

--> Dog Rose <---

The Dog Rose motif, famous for its huge bee, was an original 1972 flower on salad plates and still remains in production today. It is based on an image found in a 1835 botany book with illustrations by William Clarke,Moral of Flowers, and written by Mrs. Hey.

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Copied from the back of the box, following is documentation regarding use and care:

CLOVER LEAF MELAMATS

CLOVER LEAF TABLE MATS are designed to add that vital finishing touch to tour table setting. Yet they are not only decorative but functional too, protecting the polish of your table from marks and stains.

Using table mats instead of a table cloth you can enjoy to the full the beauty of your table"s polished surface. Used on a table cloth they will give your table added protection.

The surface will resist Grease, Fruit Juice Acids and Alchohol.

HEAT RESISTANCE is high - up to 180F (83C) which is a little below the boiling point of water at 212F (100C). FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES, HOWEVER, IT IS ADVISABLE NOT TO USE PLATES OR DISHES THAT ARE TOO HOT TO BE HELD IN THE HAND. The best way to preserve the finish of your table mats is by keeping the surface clean of grease and stains by wiping with a damp cloth previously immersed in soapy water. The surface can be kept bright and shiny by lightly rubbing over with a liquid wax polish and polishing with a dry cloth. ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD TABLE MATS BE IMMERSED IN WATER.

Remember that oven ware can have a temperature of over 450F (232C) and whilst this may not affect the mats, it may cause damage to your table's surface.

WARNING: Table mats are resistant to heat, they are not HEAT PROOF. Do not place heated oven ware taken straight from the oven obn to your table mats but use a special casserole stand with an air space between the stand and your table for complete protection.

MADE IN UNITED KINGDOM

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Size	11-1/2" by 8-1/2" and about 1/4" thick
Front / Back	The flower on each tablemat has nice rich color with no fading. Both the matte finish surface and back cork are in great condition. There are no signs of use or damage that I can see. The cork back also is in super condition with no missing pieces, rips, tears, or gouges.
Face Background	Very White
Stains	None
Use Marks	Each tablemat is in great condition and shows no signs of use. The box is sturdy with no rips or tears but does have some light wear especially around the edges and maybe a few minor dings.

There are no markings or stickers on the back of each mat and there may never have been any ID marks. The photos of the box below are borrowed from a similar box.

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--> Similar Box <---