Plate
London, England
1784-1802
Maker
John Townsend and Thomas Compton (working 1784-1802)
Measurements
3/4 in x 9 in (dia)
Materials
Pewter
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.
Accession Number
1971.899
Inscription
The makers' touchmarks say "TOWNSEND / & COMPTON" and "MADE IN / LONDON" and "T&C," the last as the last in the row of four hallmarks.
Condition Notes
The plate exhibits pitting and oxidation. A small hole through the plate bottom is slightly off-center and partially through one hallmark.
Provenance
Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner
Comments
This 9-inch plate has a hammered booge. Hammering compressed the cast pewter, which strengthened this part of the plate that was otherwise susceptible to damage. The plate is marked by the partnership of Townsend and Compton of London. They were responsible for selling large amounts of pewter to the United States. Several plates seemingly identical to this one, thus cast in the same mold, were part of Mary Warner's collection. It is tempting to think that a set of these plates, including this one, was once owned in either the Corbit or Wilson households.