Bowl
Bowl
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- Description
- This transfer-printed creamware bowl was made by Fletcher Shelton of Staffordshire, England during the early 1800s. The interior base of the bowl depicts an American sailing ship. On the outside of the bowl are three transfer prints—two of George Washington and one of a boat on a canal. The first depicts George Washington stepping on a lion, representing his defeat of Great Britain. Second is a portrait of George Washington flanked by the allegorical figures of Liberty and Justice. Justice proclaims, -“Deafness to the Ear that will patiently hear & Dumbness to the tongue that will utter a Calumny against the immortal Washington.” Liberty is pointing to Washington as she says, “My Favorite Son.” Below the portrait is the statement, “Long live the president of the United States.” Both maritime designs and celebrations of George Washington are common themes on Liverpool creamware. Robert H. McCauley purchased this bowl from Sara B. Clutz of Gettysburg, PA on July 13, 1940 for $55.00.
- This bowl is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- bowl
- place made
- United Kingdom: England, Liverpool
- Physical Description
- transfer printed (overall production method/technique)
- monochrome, black (overall surface decoration color name)
- ceramic, earthenware, refined (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 3 15/16 in x 8 3/4 in; 10.00125 cm x 22.225 cm
- ID Number
- CE.63.116
- catalog number
- 63.116
- accession number
- 252565
- collector/donor number
- 389
- Credit Line
- Robert H. McCauley
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Ceramics and Glass
- Domestic Furnishings
- Military
- McCauley Liverpool Pottery
- Government, Politics, and Reform
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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