Lidded Vegetable Dish
MakerProbably made by
Staffordshire potteries
English, 17th century-present
RetailerSold by
Peter Morton
American, 1800-1846
Dateabout 1835-1840
MediumDrape-molded buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze and underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x width x depth): 6 x 9 1/2 x 9 1/2in. (15.2 x 24.1 x 24.1cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of Martha R. Lambert
DescriptionSquare, lidded, buff-colored earthenware vegetable dish with a blue tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. The dish (.a) and lid (.b) are decorated with scenes inspired by "Aesop's Fables" in a dark transfer-printed underglaze cobalt blue. The scene printed on the inside bottom of the dish shows a fox carrying a bird, perhaps a crane, in its mouth. The fox is running along a path that leads away from a farm in the distance. This scene is surrounded by a border of flowers on a blue ground with leaves and scrolls. This same border is also located on the rim of the domed lid. Scenes of animals standing in a rural landscape decorate each of the four sides of the outside of the dish and the top of the lid. The animals include a bear, wolf, antelope, deer, and ass. Finally, the top of the lid has a molded and applied finial in the shape of an ornate flower on top of a leaf.
There is a light crazing all over the surface of the lid and dish. Imperfections in the glaze or earthenware appear as a few small spots of brown on the surface of the dish.
There is a light crazing all over the surface of the lid and dish. Imperfections in the glaze or earthenware appear as a few small spots of brown on the surface of the dish.
Object number1979.68.213a-b
MarkingsImpressed, circular mark on bottom of dish,"PETER MORTON/ Importer/ -of-/ Earthenware/ CONNECTICUT".Impressed mark on bottom of dish, "17".
Mark in underglaze cobalt blue on bottom of dish, difficult to discern, appears to be initials, perhaps an 'L' with additional unknown letters.NotesHistorical Note: The home of Martha Ruhamah Tryon Lambert (1892-1979) was located at 712 Main Street in South Glastonbury, Connecticut.
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