



Antique "Bank of The United States, Philadelphia" Blue Staffordshire Plate by Stubbs, 1824-1829
Presented is an antique "Bank of The United States, Philadelphia" transferware plate, circa 1824-29. Created in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, England, by the potter Joseph Stubbs, the plate was designed expressly for an American market.
Joseph Stubbs started working as a potter in Longport, Staffordshire in 1790, specializing in earthenware. From 1816 to 1817, he established a short-lived pottery partnership with John Taylor. During this time, Stubbs traveled to America to set up their earthenware export network with sellers, in Boston first with the company Swift & Andrews, and then in Philadelphia. Despite the dissolution of his pottery partnership with John Taylor in 1817, Stubbs continued in the business and was advertising his Staffordshire earthenware in New York by 1820. Returning to Longport in early 1822, Stubbs started a new company, Stubbs & Kent, with a younger partner Thomas Kent in September of that same year. Stubbs worked as the primary potter and Kent moved to New York in 1824 to handle the export side of the business. Kent passed away unexpectedly in 1828; Stubbs retired the next year, auctioning off his business. His factory in Longport was taken over by another Staffordshire potter Thomas Mayer.
The plate depicts Philadelphia's Bank of the United States within a patriotic eagle border. The plate was based on an engraving by Akrell, first published in the 1824 “Atlas til friherre Klinckowströms bref om de förente staterne.” The Bank of the United States was founded on February 25, 1791 when George Washington signed the bank bill into law. The construction for the bank began in 1795 and was completed in 1797. The building was designed by Samuel Blodgett, Superintendent of Buildings for the new capital in Washington, DC. It was the first building built specifically for the new federal government.
This plate was decorated using the printing process called transferware, a highly collectable method used to adorn antique china in white and blue patterns. Vintage transferware dishware was exceedingly popular during the Victorian era. In the late 18th century, Chinese porcelain was extremely sought-after, thanks to their rich and delicately detailed blue patterns hand painted on white backgrounds. However, due to trade prices, Chinese porcelain pieces were expensive and generally limited to the wealthier class. To mimic the look of Chinese porcelain, English potters created transferware.
In this process, a copperplate is engraved with a design and heated. Cobalt oxide is applied to the hot engraved plate, followed by a damp tissue paper laid flat to pick up the oxide. The marked tissue is lifted off the copperplate and applied to the pottery surface. The tissue paper is then washed off, leaving the intricate blue design.
While the first transferware patterns incorporated Chinese designs and motifs, eventually Victorian romantic sensibilities created a market for floral and pastoral patterns that highlighted English Culture. After the Napoleonic Wars, a large export trade to North America was established. British Staffordshire potteries such as Wedgwood, Clews, Rogers, and Stubs capitalized upon the surge of popularity of American history and designed patterns expressly for the American markets. The plates, serveware, bowls and tureens celebrated early American history with idyllic and patriotic themes. Scenes were modeled closely after iconic engravings by 19th century publishers, such as Currier and Ives, and subjects were chosen for how they reinforced Americans’ sense of national identity and pride. The beautiful wares that have survived are now avidly collected on both sides of the Atlantic.
CONDITION:
Good condition overall, considering age and past use. Blue transferware pottery, with light scratches, small areas of crackling. Design intact, and blue is still vibrant. The plate is titled “Bank of the United States. Philadelphia” in an elegant cartouche on the back, along the top lip. Occasional pitting and surface stains from past use along the back.
Dimensions: 1" H x 10 1/8" W x 10 1/8" D.
Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.
Pickup currently unavailable at Colorado

Antique "Bank of The United States, Philadelphia" Blue Staffordshire Plate by Stubbs, 1824-1829
Colorado
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs CO 80906
United States
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