Platter

Art Historical Context

This elegant stoneware platter, crafted by an unknown British artist between 1750 and 1770, exemplifies the refined ceramics exported to the American colonies. Measuring 10 1/8 x 8 inches, its compact oval form was ideal for serving meats, breads, or pastries colonial tables. Stoneware, a durable pottery fired at high temperatures and often salt-glazed for a smooth, practical surface, was prized for its resistance to cracking and staining—perfect for everyday use in households lacking advanced local kilns. Produced in Britain specifically for the American market, the platter reflects the robust transatlantic trade of the mid-18th century, when English potteries like those in Staffordshire dominated colonial imports. Wealthy Americans coveted these pieces as symbols of sophistication, blending functionality with subtle elegance amid growing demands for domestic refinement before the Revolution. Now housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, thanks to the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund of 1938, this unassuming platter offers a tangible glimpse into colonial life—where imported wares bridged Old World craftsmanship and New World aspirations.