Plate
This dark blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of James & Ralph Clews features a view of the historic town of Pittsfield, Massachusetts during winter. The original source of the view is unknown. Profiting from the steady growth of tourism in nineteenth-century America, Pittsfield was a famous resort town located in the scenic Berkshire Mountains. While transfer-printed views tend to depict major port cities where export wares were shipped from overseas, the scene of Pittsfield is a less common example of a view of a smaller locale. The town's First Congregational Church, the largest building in the center, was built in 1792 by Boston architect Charles Bulfinch (1763–1844) and was known as the Bulfinch Meeting House. Although partially destroyed by fire in 1851, the Meeting House survived until it was torn down in 1939. Another view of the Meeting House appears in three medallions along the border. The original pastor of the Meeting House, Reverend Thomas Allen (n.d.), served as chaplain to the American army during the American Revolutionary War. The smaller spired church to the left of the Meeting House was the First Baptist Church completed in 1827. The large structure farthest to the left, the Berkshire Hotel, was erected in 1826 and operated until 1866. The town hall appears farthest to the right. Surrounded by an oval fence erected in 1820 for its protection, the huge free-standing elm tree in Park Square was reputed to be 340 years old, 128-feet tall and 28-feet across when it was chopped down in 1861. The tree was among the great historic trees of America and became a symbol of American patriotism after Reverend Allen reportedly formed the first detachment of the Berkshire Minutemen under its boughs. The American Wing's Collection also contains additional pieces by Clews. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Clews.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate
- Maker: James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
- Date: ca. 1827–30
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: Diam. 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Abraham Lansing, 1910
- Object Number: 10.57.10
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1824–34
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1815–ca. 1834
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1821–ca. 1834
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1825–ca. 1834
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1822–ca. 1834
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