Plate

This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware plate made by the Staffordshire firm of Henshall, Williamson & Co. features a view of the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It belongs to a series of eight American views commonly known as the "Fruit and Flower Border Series" produced for export to the United States. Pieces in the series are typically marked on the back with the name of the individual view printed within a scrolled cartouche or a cartouche comprised of thistles and flowers. The series typifies early nineteenth-century taste for views that romanticized the growth of cities, towns and villages by emphasizing the surrounding landscape. Philadelphia views were especially popular for transfer-printed wares, since Philadelphia was one of the nation's oldest and most prosperous cities and also its capitol from 1790 to 1800. Built in the Neoclassical style from 1812 to 1824 after designs by Philadelphia engineer Frederick Graff (1774–1847), the Fairmount Water Works were among the first hydraulic-powered systems in the United States. The dam seen on the right backed up the Schuylkill River for nearly six miles to create the power needed to pump millions of gallons of water into the reservoir situated at the top of "Faire Mount." Combining utility and aesthetics, the roof above the dam also served as a 250-feet long promenade overlooking the Schuylkill. The building seen in the background to the left was the pumping station built in 1813. Providing a scenic setting for the Water Works facility, Fairmount Park was among America's first parks and a popular tourist attraction arising from the growth of tourism in America. Henshall's view of the Park and Water Works was based on a drawing by Philadelphia artist Thomas Birch (1779–1851) engraved by Philadelphia engraver Robert Campbell (1806–1831) and published in 1824. An adaptation of the same engraving also decorates two plates, 10.57.16 and 14.102.106, by Joseph Stubbs (ca. 1822–1836). Different views of the buildings, park and connecting bridges embellish pieces by other makers, including a plate, 14.102.301, by Job & John Jackson (1831–1835), a dish, 14.102.220, by William Ridgway, Son & Co. (ca. 1836–1848), another piece, 10.57.14, by Stubbs and a plate, 14.102.290, by Enoch Wood & Sons (1818–1846). The collection also contains original works by Birch. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term “transfer printing" and for information about Henshall and the other above-mentioned firms.