Both large and small Victorian houses were often decorated with plaques declaring either the date of construction, the name of the house, or both. The larger the house the greater scope there was for the elaborateness of the plaque. This example, from Princess Road East in Leicester, shows great artistry. The soft bricks have been rubbed to produce the detail and the appearance of a sunflower, a favourite motif of the 'Queen Anne' style, indicates a degree of modern taste and style which would be reflected in the architecture of the house and, possibly, the people living within. More brick and terracotta plaques can be seen here: http://www.le.ac.uk/emoha/leicester/terracotta.html
