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Portrait plate of Albert Smith
Author
Title
Portrait plate of Albert Smith.
Production
England, circa [1859?]
Physical Description
1 plate : ceramic, transferware ; 23 cm in diameter
Local Notes
BAC: British Art Center copy with printed label on back: "The Pulver Collection" i.e. from the collection of Martin Pulver, former chairman of the Spode Society and founding member of the Friends of Blue.
Notes
The border of the plate bears designs associated with willow pattern, adapting motifs inspired by fashionable hand-painted blue-and-white wares imported from China. It lacks, however, the willow tree, pagoda, bridge with figures, two birds flying, and small boat that usually feature at the center of such designs, having instead a portrait of Albert Smith.
The central portrait of Smith is printed in brown. The border is blue and white.
With maker's mark on back: "Copeland, late Spode, 160 New Bond Street, London."
With worker's mark: "21"
Biographical / Historical Note
The present plate depicting Albert Smith would have been sold as memorabilia to accompany his performances at Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London: "There was also the usual Smith memorabilia for sale: willow pattern plates bearing Smith's image could be purchased for one shilling each ... There were also copies of Smith's To China and back for 6d ... Chinese fans made of palm leaf could also be purchased ..."--McNee, Alan. The cockney who sold the Alps : Albert Smith and the ascent of Mont Blanc (2015), p. 179.
Format
Other
Language
English
Added to Catalog
February 05, 2019
References
McNee, A. Cockney who sold the Alps, page 179
Subjects
Subjects (Local Yale)
Genre/Form
Ceramic (material)
Transferware.
Service plates.
Willow pattern.
Keepsakes.
Bookmark As
Citation
