Plate
This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of William Ridgway, Son & Co. features a view of the tomb of Thaddeus Kosciusko (?–1817) at West Point, New York. It belongs to a series of approximately twenty-six American views with moss-decorated borders titled "Catskill Moss" registered on December 16, 1844. The letters "C.C." printed on the back of the plate signify “common crockery" and were registered as a trademark when the firm operated at the Cobden Works from about 1841 to 1846. Thaddeus Kosciusko was the chief engineer of construction of fortifications at West Point and served in the American Revolutionary War. After the War he returned to his native land of Poland. Cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point erected a monument in Kosciusko’s memory after his death in 1817. The monument is commonly referred to as Kosciusko's Tomb, although Kosciusko was actually buried in Poland. West Point was a popular subject for transfer-printed export wares because of its picturesque surroundings and patriotic associations. A view of the Academy, for example, appears on a plate, 14.102.330, by James & Ralph Clews (ca. 1821–1834). Tombs were a common theme of the Romantic and Garden Cemetery Movements, which encouraged notions of romantic death and grave-side ruminations at the resting places of famous persons. Other tombs on transfer-printed wares include that of Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) on a coffeepot, 83.2.367, by Enoch Wood & Sons (1818–1846). Ridgway's view of Kosciusko's tomb was based on a drawing by English artist William Henry Bartlett (1809–1854) engraved by English engraver Robert Wallis (1794–1878) and reproduced as "The Tomb of Kosciusko" in Nathaniel Parker Willis' "American Scenery" (London, 1840). Bartlett was among the finest topographical draftsmen of the nineteenth century. Over one hundred of his drawings were published in "American Scenery," which established the route for the so-called "American Grand Tour" and became one of the most influential travel books of the period. The Museum’s collection contains additional pieces by Ridgway, as well as original works by Bartlett and various editions of "American Scenery." Bartlett's American views also inspired decoration on export wares by other firms, including scenes on several pieces, 14.102.65, 14.102.265 and 14.102.327, by an affiliated firm, William Ridgway & Co. (ca. 1834–1854). Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term “transfer printing" and for information about the above-mentioned firms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate
- Maker: William Ridgway, Son & Co. (active ca. 1836–48)
- Date: ca. 1844–ca. 1846
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, 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: 14.102.316
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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William Ridgway, Son & Co. (active ca. 1836–48)
ca. 1844–ca. 1846
William Ridgway, Son & Co. (active ca. 1836–48)
ca. 1844–ca. 1848
William Ridgway, Son & Co. (active ca. 1836–48)
ca. 1844–ca. 1846
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1824–34
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
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