Dish

This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware sauceboat stand made by the Staffordshire firm of Joseph Stubbs features a view of the Upper Ferry (Fairmount) Bridge over the Schuylkill River near the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The bridge was erected from 1809 to 1812 after designs by Philadelphia pioneer bridge builder Louis Wernwag (1769–1843) and Philadelphia architect-engineer Robert Mills (1781–1855). Built entirely of wood, the bridge burned in 1838. It was sometimes called the "Colossus” because of its 340-foot span making it the longest single-arch covered bridge in the nation and second only to a bridge in Switzerland that was fifty feet longer. The view by Stubbs also illustrates the locally famous Harding Tavern on the opposite riverbank and a Conestoga wagon in the foreground. Stubbs included the view in its series of approximately seventeen architectural and scenic American views surrounded by standard borders of spread eagles, flowers and scrolls, which it produced for the United States export market. The view was based on a drawing by English-born Philadelphia artist Thomas Birch (1779–1851) engraved in about 1819 by Philadelphia engraver Jacob J. Plocher (?–1820). Symbolic of American progress in transportation and engineering, bridges were often featured on transfer-printed export wares. Additional examples include another view of the Upper Ferry Bridge on a dish by William Ridgway, Son & Co. (ca. 1836–1848) and a view of the Race Bridge at the Fairmount Water Works on a plate, 14.102.301, by Job & John Jackson (1831–1835). Another Birch drawing also inspired a view of Fairmount Park on a soup plate, 14.102.106, by Stubbs. The American Wing's collection also contains additional pieces by Stubbs. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about the above-mentioned firms.