Click on the image below to see it in our online catalog.
In the JHS collection is an English Staffordshire plate decorated with an image commemorating the 1636 landing of Roger Williams in Rhode Island. Staffordshire pottery was renowned for its process known as transferware that was developed in the latter half of the 18th century. Transferware was a way of decorating pottery by printing an image from an engraved metal plate onto special paper which was then applied to unfired pottery. When the pottery was fired it absorbed the ink from the paper and the design was “transferred”. Often the artwork was borrowed from other mediums, particularly prints that were inexpensive and widely available.
The subject on our plate is from an engraving titled Landing of Roger Williams by George R. Hall. Since the print size was only 5-5/8 x 7-5/8, it was a perfect size to fit in the center of the 9-inch commemorative plate.
Surrounding the center of the plate are four quadrants displaying different topics. Two are landmarks that relate to our area. One is Fort Dumpling identified as Ruins of Old Fort Dumpling, RI and the other is Old Stone Mill at Newport, RI. The other two quadrants celebrate milestones in US history unconnected to Rhode Island.
By the mid-19th century America was an important outlet for British potters who flooded the ceramics market with subjects that would be appealing to collectors in America. Famous war heroes, important landmarks or historic events were popular motifs. The pattern name of our plate is Ye Olde Historical Pottery, No. 3. Other commemorative plates that have this same pattern name will have a different subject and a unique number to distinguish them between the various designs.
The inspiration for the print by Hall is the painting Landing of Roger Williams in 1636 by Alonzo Chappel which is in the collection of the Rhode Island School of Design. Interpretation and analysis of the painting can be explored there.
Staffordshire was not the only manufacturer using transferware. Click here to view other ceramics that used the transferware process
