The sunflower, alongside the calla lily and peacock feather, became an emblem of the late 19th-century Aesthetic Movement. Oscar Wilde was an emphatic advocate of the flower, believing it to be “a perfect model of design…most naturally adapted for decorative art.” As the color green also became a favorite of the Aesthetes, the Wedgwood company capitalized on the trend with its green majolica sunflower design. First appearing around 1860, this pattern proved extremely popular and was produced well into the 20th century. These dishes would have contributed to an artistic interior which functioned as a sanctuary for beauty in daily life.