Plate ("Brecon Castle"; one of a pair)

1820-1830

Maker

William Adams (of Stoke-on-Trent, 1772-1829; of Greenfield, 1798-1865)

Measurements

7/8 in x 8-7/8 in (dia)

Materials

Transfer-printed white earthenware

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.738

Inscription

“BRECON, CASTLE / Brecknockshire” is printed in blue on the outside bottom.  “ADAM[S] WARRANTED / . STAFFORDSHIRE” around an eagle is impressed into the outside bottom.

Condition Notes

Plate 1971.738.1 has edge roughness, one flake from the rim, and a linear gouge in the center.  Plate 1971.738.2 has a large gouge, a smaller gouge, and roughness in the brim.

Provenance

Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner

Comments

Father-and-son William Adams established William Adams & Co. that remains in business today.  They are well-known for producing high-quality blue transfer-printed wares.  This pair of plates, decorated with an underglaze-blue transfer-print, shows a Welsh castle built in 1093.  By the 18th century, it was in ruins, but in the 1810s--shortly before the plates were made, it was renovated for use as a hotel and remains such today.

Plate 1971.738.1 was photographed.