Platter
This blue and white transfer-printed earthenware platter made by the Staffordshire firm of John Rogers & Son features a view of the Massachusetts State House in Boston. The same view also appears on a plate, 14.102.228, by Rogers. Modeled after James Wyatt's Pantheon (completed 1772) and Sir William Chambers' Somerset House (completed 1786) in London, the State House was built in the neoclassical Adam style from 1795 to 1797 after designs by Boston architect Charles Bulfinch (1763–1844). It was among the most admired American public buildings of the period. The structure's prominent central dome helped set the standard for state houses and capitol buildings throughout the nation. As patriotic symbols of American self-government, views of government buildings often decorated transfer-printed wares destined for the United States. Other famous examples include the United States Capitol building in Washington, District of Columbia pictured on two platters, 14.102.65 and 14.102.68, by William Ridgway & Co. (ca. 1834–1854) and John & William Ridgway (ca. 1834–1854), respectively, and on a plate, 14.102.131, by Ralph Stevenson & Williams (ca. 1825–1827). Rogers' view of the State House was based on an 1804 watercolor sketch by a little-known artist named Dobbins. Although Dobbins’ sketch may have inspired a published engraving used as the direct source for the ceramic view, no engraving is presently known. The same sketch inspired a view on a plate, 14.102.240, by Enoch Wood & Sons (1818–1846), as well as a similar view by Joseph Stubbs (1822–1836). In addition to the State House view, the American Wing’s collection also contains a teapot, 12.21.1, with Rogers' view of Boston Harbor. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Rogers and the other above-mentioned firms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Platter
- Maker: John Rogers & Son (active ca. 1815–42)
- Date: ca. 1815–ca. 1842
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Abraham Lansing, 1910
- Object Number: 10.57.13
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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John Rogers & Son (active ca. 1815–42)
ca. 1823–ca. 1842
John Rogers & Son (active ca. 1815–42)
ca. 1815–ca. 1842
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1825–ca. 1834
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1825–ca. 1834
James and Ralph Clews (British, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, active ca. 1818–36)
ca. 1815–ca. 1834
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