Plate
This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of Ralph Stevenson & Williams features a view of Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The view belongs to a series of approximately sixteen American views with acorn-and-oak-leaf borders produced for the United States export market. Appearing from left to right are Harvard Hall (1764–1766), Hollis Hall (1762–1763) and Holworthy Hall (1811–1813). Symbolizing great American intellectual and architectural achievements, universities were often depicted on transfer-printed export wares. Another early American educational institution, Transylvania University in Kentucky, appears on a plate, 14.102.315, by Enoch Wood & Sons (1818–1846). The view of Harvard by Stevenson & Williams was based on a drawing titled “North East View of Harvard College" (ca. 1821) by Boston artist Alvan Fisher (1792–1863) copied from an oil painting by Fisher for the express purpose of serving as a model for an engraving by Salem engraver Charles Cutler Torrey (1799–1827), which was published in Boston in 1823 by Cummings, Hilliard & Co. as "North East View of the Several Halls of Harvard College." The engraving inspired a similar composition on a plate, 14.102.205, by Job & John Jackson (1831–1835). The American Wing's collection also contains additional pieces by Stevenson & Williams. 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: Ralph Stevenson & Williams (active ca. 1825–27)
- Date: ca. 1825–ca. 1827
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: Diam. 10 in. (25.4 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Mandeville Johnston, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. S. Johnston, 1914
- Object Number: 14.102.292
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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Possibly Ralph Stevenson & Williams (active ca. 1825–27)
ca. 1825–ca. 1827
Ralph Stevenson & Williams (active ca. 1825–27)
ca. 1825–ca. 1827
Ralph Stevenson & Williams (active ca. 1825–27)
ca. 1825–ca. 1827
Possibly Ralph Stevenson & Williams (active ca. 1825–27)
ca. 1825–ca. 1827
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1824–34
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