Description:
English pearlware thin, rectangular plaque with a black molded surround simulating a picture frame. Ceramic plaques were often used as wall hangings and at times on furniture and clock-cases. This ceramic plaque is a convincing imitation of a print in its wooden frame, which was probably part of a series devoted to the arts (although no other examples of this series have been located). The center has an oval transfer-printed (bat printing) classically dressed woman leaning on a harp with a footstool at her feet and large clouds in the background above the word "MUSIC". The plaque is pierced with two holes for hanging; threaded in the holes is a cotton and silk hanging cord. A white label attached to back of plaque reads "M413". According to correspondence with ceramics scholar Dick Henrywood, he writes that "these black-bordered plaques are by no means common, nor are they very easy to date. The boxing match between Spring and Langan was in 1824 but that is the only subject that I have been able to pin down. The Wesley plaque is copied from an engraving, but unfortunately one that bears no publication date. My own feeling is that as a group they date to the 1820s. I don’t think quite as early as the 1815 you mention on your site although the style of the “Music” print does seem on the early side. You are certainly not far out. And I feel sure they are Staffordshire."
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+91.024 |
