Tea Bowl and Saucer
MakerSaucer .3 made by
Andrew Stevenson
(English, 1816 - 1830)
MakerTea bowl .4 attributed to
Andrew Stevenson
(English, 1816 - 1830)
Date1816-1830
MediumMechanically-molded buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze and underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x diameter of tea bowl): 2 1/4 x 3 1/2in. (5.7 x 8.9cm)
Primary Dimensions (diameter of saucer): 5 5/8in. (14.3cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of the heirs of Morgan B. Brainard
Object number1961.1.3-.4
DescriptionRound tea bowl and saucer of buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. Each is decorated with a transfer-printed underglaze cobalt blue pattern titled, "State House Hartford" on the bottom. The pattern shows a neoclassical, or Federal style, building. The building sits on a tall, stone first floor, with two brick storeys above it. The structure has a projecting portico with six columns, a balustrade, and four chimneys emerging from the roof. There are two tall trees on either side of the building and a fence in the background. A man with a cane or walking stick is standing on the lawn in front of the building. Each piece is also decorated with a transfer-printed border of various flowers and leaves on a blue background.
Saucer (.3): The pattern is printed in the center of the saucer and is surrounded by a narrow, circular, scalloped white line. The border is printed at the rim surrounding the pattern, consisting of various flowers and leaves on a blue background. The blue field fades from a dark blue at the outer edge of the rim to a light blue at the inner edge. A line of white circles decorates the outer edge of the rim. All of the surfaces of the saucer have crazing, which has caused the saucer to turn a light brown. This change is most evident on the bottom of the saucer. There are three small chips in the rim, one of which leads to a short crack. The bottom of the foot is lightly scratched, consistent with use over time.
Tea Bowl (.4): The pattern is printed twice on the outside of the tea bowl. Between the patterns, various leaves and flowers are printed on a dark blue field. There is a white, narrow, scalloped line at the outer and inner edges of the rim. The border is printed beneath this on the inside edge of the rim. A circular pattern of a white flower on a dark blue field is printed on the inside bottom of the tea bowl. There is light crazing on the surfaces of the tea bowl.
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut State House was designed by Charles Bulfinch of Boston, and built by Jeremiah Halsey of Preston, Connecticut, and Andrew Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. The first session of the General Assembly was held in the State House on 11 May 1796. In 1878, the State House was turned over for use as a City Hall. In 1915, the Old State House was abandoned, and used intermittently for various non-governmental purposes. Several restoration projects took place over the following years, and in 1961, the Old State House was designated a National Historic Landmark. (Hunt 11/4/2004)Saucer (.3): The pattern is printed in the center of the saucer and is surrounded by a narrow, circular, scalloped white line. The border is printed at the rim surrounding the pattern, consisting of various flowers and leaves on a blue background. The blue field fades from a dark blue at the outer edge of the rim to a light blue at the inner edge. A line of white circles decorates the outer edge of the rim. All of the surfaces of the saucer have crazing, which has caused the saucer to turn a light brown. This change is most evident on the bottom of the saucer. There are three small chips in the rim, one of which leads to a short crack. The bottom of the foot is lightly scratched, consistent with use over time.
Tea Bowl (.4): The pattern is printed twice on the outside of the tea bowl. Between the patterns, various leaves and flowers are printed on a dark blue field. There is a white, narrow, scalloped line at the outer and inner edges of the rim. The border is printed beneath this on the inside edge of the rim. A circular pattern of a white flower on a dark blue field is printed on the inside bottom of the tea bowl. There is light crazing on the surfaces of the tea bowl.
Status
Not on view
