Plate
This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of Ralph Stevenson features a view of the Flagstaff Pavilion at the Battery on Manhattan Island 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. Used for refreshments and concerts, Flagstaff Pavilion was built in 1809 by Joseph McLaughton around an historic flagstaff at the southeastern end of the Battery, the site of various military fortifications throughout New York's early history. Because of its distinctive circular-shaped portico resembling a butter churn, the pavilion was commonly referred to as the "Churn." Evoking strong patriotic sentiments among American consumers, the Battery and its various structures were popular subjects for transfer-printed export wares. Other views of the Battery, for example, appear on a plate, 14.102.288, by James & Ralph Clews (ca. 1815–1834), a Stevenson jug, 98.1.8, and a cup plate, 12.21.7, by Enoch Wood & Sons (1818–1846). Stevenson's view of the Flagstaff Pavilion was based on a drawing by English-born New York artist Charles Burton (active ca. 1819–1842) reproduced as an engraving titled "New York Battery" by New York engraver George B. King (active ca. 1817–1834) in A. T. Goodrich's "Picture of New York or the Stranger's Guide" (New York, 1825). Engravings after Burton drawings also inspired views on other pieces in the collection, including another Stevenson plate, 14.102.6, and two plates, 14.102.261 and 14.102.301, by Job & John Jackson (1831–1835). The collection also contains additional pieces by Stevenson, as well as original works by Charles Burton. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Stevenson and the above-mentioned firms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Plate
- Maker: Ralph Stevenson (British, active Cobridge, ca. 1810–32)
- Date: ca. 1825–ca. 1832
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: Diam. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Mandeville Johnston, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. S. Johnston, 1914
- Object Number: 14.102.7
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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Ralph Stevenson (British, active Cobridge, ca. 1810–32)
ca. 1810–ca. 1830
Ralph Stevenson (British, active Cobridge, ca. 1810–32) , at his Cobridge Pottery
ca. 1820–ca. 1832
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
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1815–ca. 1834
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