W.T. Copeland & Sons, Portrait plate of Albert Smith, circa [1859?]
- Title(s):
- Portrait plate of Albert Smith.
- Published/Created:
- England, circa [1859?]
- Physical Description:
- 1 plate : ceramic, transferware ; 23 cm in diameter
- Holdings:
- Rare Books and ManuscriptsDS709 .S4 1859 Flat AYale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund[Request]
- Copyright Status:
- Public Domain
- Full Orbis Record:
- http://hdl.handle.net/10079/bibid/13928156
- Classification:
- Three-Dimensional Artifacts
- Notes:
- 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.
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"
McNee, A. Cockney who sold the Alps, page 179
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. - Subject Terms:
- Amusements -- England -- London.China -- Description and travel.Pulver Collection -- Label.Pulver, Martin, -2015 -- Provenance.Smith, Albert, 1816–1860 -- Portraits.
- Form/Genre:
- Ceramic (material)
Transferware.
Service plates.
Willow pattern.
Keepsakes. - Export:
- XML
- IIIF Manifest:
- JSON