Cup Plate
MakerMade by
James & Ralph Clews
(English, 1818 - 1834)
After a work byAfter a work by
William Combe
(English, 1742 - 1823)
After a work byAfter a work by
Thomas Rowlandson
(British, 1756 - 1827)
Date1818-1834
MediumMold-formed buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze and underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (diameter): 3 1/2in. (8.9cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Morgan B. Brainard, Jr.
Object number1978.102.25
DescriptionRound, buff-colored earthenware cup plate with a blue-tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. The entire plate is covered with one transfer-printed pattern showing an older man in a dark suit and hat seated on the left, staring to the left at something not printed on the cup plate. The man has a pad of paper on his lap and a writing utensil in his right hand. Three individuals are standing behind him, and in the middle, a woman stands in the door of a two-story house. All five individuals are looking to the left. To the right, bushes and trees complete the pattern. There is a good amount of contrast between the dark blues of the man's suit and the white elements of the pattern. There is some light crazing visible on the back, and a small crack running from the rim toward the center of the cup plate.
NotesSource Note: The pattern on this cup plate is from a series of literary views produced by the James & Ralph Clews firm in Cobridge, Staffordshire, England. This particular scene is based on the poem, "Tour of Doctor Syntax in Search of the Picturesque", was written by William Combe (1742-1823) and published in 1809 in Ackerman's Poetical Magazine. The story was published in book form three years later. The poem tells of a Doctor Syntax, a clergyman, who traveled the lake country to sketch attractive scenes and supplement his clergy income. Thomas Rowlandson produced a series of caricatures based on this story that formed the patterns that were printed on ceramics. The particular scene printed on this cup plate only shows part of one of the caricatures. In the complete drawing, titled "Doctor Syntax Drawing After Nature", Dr. Syntax is seated on an inverted tub painting the group of animals assembled before him. Multiple-cup plates were needed to complete a view. (Hunt 9/17/2004)Object Note: Typically, a cup plate was used after a tea drinker poured tea from a teacup into a saucer, to allow the tea to cool before drinking. The tea drinker would then place the cup on a cup plate, thereby preventing rings from forming on the tablecloth or table while the saucer was otherwise occupied. (Hunt 9/15/2004)
Status
On view
