Description:
Theobald Mathew or Father Matthew (1790-1856) was a Catholic teetotal campaigner, whose missionary work in the 1840s was particularly influential in Ireland. However, it has been speculated that this print was created around the time of his trip to London in 1843, where, as an adherent of the ‘Temperance Movement,’ he preached abstinence to thousands of followers, and was granted a pension by Queen Victoria. In 1849 he traveled to the United States, and in 1851 he returned to Ireland, where he had enjoyed his greatest (if impermanent) success. Staffordshire pearlware octagonal small plate, circa 1843-45. Center transfer-printed in black and enameled in rose, blue, green and yellow with a scene of Theobald Matthew preaching to twelve kneeling followers between the inscriptions "FATHER MATTHEW and ADMINISTERING THE TOTAL ABSTINENCE PLEDGE", thinly-potted rim crisply molded with two rows of daisy blossoms within a ropework edge outlined with a crimson line. 6 11/16 in. w. It also has been suggested by John and Jennifer May, Commemorative Pottery 1780-1900, p. 9, pl. 15, that the present print “recurs in a series of octagonal children’s plates…which include other noted transfers
of Victoria’s reign…, and which was very likely made in 1851 for sale around the Crystal Palace.” See also a Staffordshire porcelain figure of Father Mathew, HD 2021.33.13. Condition: Good other than minor abrasions on the edge.
Tags:
temperance; historical figures; priests; activists Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2021.33.12 |
