Plate
This purple and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of James & Ralph Clews features a view of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. Evidencing the rise of industrialism in the United States, early manufacturing plants with smoke billowing from their chimneys populate the river banks. The steamboat "Home" pictured in the middle distance was built in Pittsburgh in 1829 and was destroyed by fire in 1831. Two other steamboats, the "Lark" and the “Nile" also built in Pittsburgh in 1829, appear on the far shore to the left. Essential to the growth of industry during the early nineteenth century, steamboats often figure prominently in transfer-printed views. Staffordshire potters also recorded other significant modes of early American travel, including ferry boats (see, e.g., 10.57.14), horse-drawn barges (see, e.g., 14.102.247), horse-drawn chaises or sedan chairs (see, e.g., 14.102.24), stagecoaches (see, e.g., 10.57.11), steam locomotives (see, e.g., 14.102.115) and the Erie Canal (see, e.g., 14.102.82). The view of Pittsburgh and its steamboats by Clews may have been based, in part, on a drawing titled "Pittsburgh" by Philadelphia artist George Lehman (?–1870) reproduced as an engraving by London-born Philadelphia engraver Cephas Grier Childs (1793–1871) in John and Joseph Sanderson's "Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Volume X" (Philadelphia, 1827). Clews included the view in its series of approximately twenty-three "Picturesque Views" manufactured for the United States export market with borders of flowers, foliage, C-scrolls and exotic birds perched on zigzag meanders. The American Wing's collection contains additional pieces by Clews, including others from the same series. 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. 1829–ca. 1834
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: Diam. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Mandeville Johnston, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. S. Johnston, 1914
- Object Number: 14.102.244
- 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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