Thirteen Designs for Decorated Cups

Art Historical Context

Step into the Victorian world of refined tableware with *Thirteen Designs for Decor Cups* (1845–55), a sheet of pen-and-ink drawings heightened with watercolor by Samuel Al & Company, in collaboration with illustrator Alfred Henry Forrester (known as Alfred Crowquill Measuring 16 3/4 x 11 7/16 inches, this work from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints showcases intricate floral motifs—likely intended for transfer-printing onto ceramic cups produced by Alcock's Staffordshire pottery firm. Samuel Alcock & Company was a leading mid-19th-century British manufacturer of affordable earthenware, catering to the growing middle class's taste for ornate, everyday luxury. Forrester, a prolific Victorian artist celebrated for his whimsical book illustrations and caricatures, brought his lively hand to these ornamental designs, blending precision with playful elegance. The floral tags highlight the era's obsession with nature-inspired decoration, evoking the Romantic ideal amid the Industrial Revolution's mass production. Rendered in pen and ink for sharp outlines and watercolor for subtle color washes, these drawings exemplify preparatory sketches for industrial design—a bridge between fine art and functional objects. Part of The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, they offer a glimpse into how artistry fueled Britain's booming ceramics trade, making beauty accessible to all.

About the Artist

Samuel Alcock & Company|Alfred Henry Forrester [Alfred Crowquill] (British|British) · 1828 |1804 –1859 |1872

British, active ca. 1828–59|British, London 1804–1872 London