Teacup and Saucer
MakerTeacup possibly made by
Enoch Wood & Sons
English, July 1818-1846
MakerSaucer made by
Enoch Wood & Sons
English, July 1818-1846
After a work byBoth probably after a wood engraving by
John Warner Barber
American, 1798 - 1885
Dateabout 1840
MediumMechanically-molded buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze and underglaze cobalt blue decoration
DimensionsComponent (height x width including handle x depth of teacup): 2 1/2 x 4 x 3 3/8in. (6.4 x 10.2 x 8.6cm)
Component (diameter of saucer): 5 3/4in. (14.6cm)
Component (diameter of saucer): 5 3/4in. (14.6cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
DescriptionRound teacup and saucer of buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. The teacup and saucer have the same transfer-printed pattern and border in a dark underglaze cobalt blue. The pattern, found in the center of each piece, shows three people in a sailboat with a single mast and sail on a body of water. Two more individuals are standing and one is sitting on the shore in the near foreground. Beyond the river, a building sits on a shore at the base of a mountain. A crenellated tower is at the top of the mountain. Below the pattern, is the title "WADSWORTH/ TOWER". Each piece is also printed with a border of white shells and light blue plants on a field of dark blue. The inside edge of each border is irregular, and the outside edge has a line of evenly spaced small white flowers.
Teacup (.a): The teacup sits on a round foot and has a flared rim and molded and applied handle. The pattern is printed twice on opposite sides of the teacup, although the title is missing. The pattern is surrounded by the shell border as described above. The same shell border is printed again along the inside rim of the teacup. All surfaces of the teacup show signs of crazing, and there is one small chip in the rim.
Saucer (.b): The pattern is printed once in the center of the round saucer. This is surrounded by the shell border. All of the surfaces of the saucer show signs of crazing.
Teacup (.a): The teacup sits on a round foot and has a flared rim and molded and applied handle. The pattern is printed twice on opposite sides of the teacup, although the title is missing. The pattern is surrounded by the shell border as described above. The same shell border is printed again along the inside rim of the teacup. All surfaces of the teacup show signs of crazing, and there is one small chip in the rim.
Saucer (.b): The pattern is printed once in the center of the round saucer. This is surrounded by the shell border. All of the surfaces of the saucer show signs of crazing.
Object number1945.1.1486a-b
MarkingsAn impressed number, probably "14", is found on the bottom of the teacup (.a).An impressed maker's mark of an eagle with outstretched wings beneath "SEMI CHINA" is found on the bottom of the saucer (.b). The following is impressed in a circular border around the eagle: "E. WOOD & SONS BURSLEM/ WARRANTED". Nearby is the impressed letter "K" and a transfer-printed "24" in underglaze cobalt blue.
NotesSubject Note: The pattern on these ceramics, titled "WADSWORTH TOWER", shows a tower built in 1810 by Daniel Wadsworth. The tower was built on top of Talcott Mountain, on Wadsworth's country estate, "Monte Video," in the town of Avon, Connecticut. Wadsworth's home on the estate, pictured in other Staffordshire ceramics, was near Wadsworth Tower, but is not pictured in this pattern. The tower commanded a fine view of the Connecticut river valley and was a popular resort for sight seers. It was blown down in 1840.
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