Platter
ca. 1825–ca. 1834
Medium
Earthenware, transfer-printed
Dimensions
16 x 19 1/2 in. (40.6 x 49.5 cm)
Classification
Platter
Culture
British (American market)
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Lawrence C. Hogeboom, 1876
Accession Number
76.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant platter, crafted by British potters James and Ralph Clews around 1825–1834, exemplifies the height of Staffordshire earthenware production for the American market. Measuring a generous 16 x 19½ inches, it served as a statement piece for dining tables in early 19th-century American homes, where imported ceramics bridged the gap between European craftsmanship and growing domestic tastes. The platter's standout feature is its transfer-printed decoration—a revolutionary technique that allowed intricate designs to be mass-produced. Patterns of vibrant flowers and picturesque landscape...