Plate ("Doctor Syntax taking posession of his living")

1818-1834

c. 1830

Maker

James and Ralph Clews (w. c. 1813-1835

Measurements

7/8 in x 10 in (dia)

Materials

Transfer-printed white earthenware

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.739

Inscription

“Doctor Syntax / taking possession / of his living” is printed in blue on the outside bottom.  “CLEWS WARRANTED STAFFORDSHIRE” around a crown or coronet is impressed into the outside bottom.

Condition Notes

The plate has a stress crack from the top edge to the center.

Provenance

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

Comments

The design of this plate follows closely a hand-colored etching and aquatint of Thomas Rowlandson (1757-1827) of London that was part of a larger work, The Tour of Doctor Syntax in Search of the Picturesque (London 1812), a popular satirical character created by William Combe (1742-1823).  Many images of Doctor Syntax were translated into ceramic wares by the Clews pottery, who exported great numbers of their wares to the United States.

To achieve the final product, the ceramic plate was first molded, then printed in cobalt blue via paper from engraved plates.  A clear glaze then protected and enhanced the image.