Plate
This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of Ralph Stevenson features a view of Fort Gansevoort in New York. The view belongs to a series of approximately twenty-two views of American cities and buildings with a standard vine-leaf border produced for the United States export market. Fort Gansevoort was erected in 1812 on the Hudson River on Manhattan Island near the intersection of Little West Twelfth Street and Tenth Avenue as a naval fortification for the city's defense during the War of 1812. Officially named in honor of American Revolutionary General Peter Gansevoort (1749–1812) the fort was commonly referred to as the "White Fort" because of its white-washed exterior. It was torn down sometime before 1849. Symbolic of the young nation's military power, fortifications were popular subjects for transfer-printed export wares. Other examples include New York's Castle Garden pictured on a Stevenson pitcher, 98.1.8, and a plate, 14.102.288, by James & Ralph Clews (ca. 1815–1834). Stevenson's view of Fort Gansevoort was based on an engraving published in about 1830 after a drawing by English-born New York artist Charles Burton (active ca. 1819–1842). Engravings after Burton drawings also inspired views on other pieces in the collection, including another Stevenson plate, 14.102.7, and two plates, 14.102.261 and 14.102.301, by Job & John Jackson (1831–1835). The collection also contains additional pieces by Stevenson and original works by Burton. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Stevenson and the other above-mentioned firms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate
- Maker: Ralph Stevenson (British, active Cobridge, ca. 1810–32)
- Date: ca. 1810–ca. 1830
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: Diam. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Abraham Lansing, 1910
- Object Number: 10.57.6
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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Ralph Stevenson (British, active Cobridge, ca. 1810–32)
ca. 1825–ca. 1832
Ralph Stevenson (British, active Cobridge, ca. 1810–32) , at his Cobridge Pottery
ca. 1820–ca. 1832
Rosina Emmet (American, New York 1854–1948 New York)
ca. 1878–85
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1821–ca. 1834
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
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