Vegetable Dish and Lid
1884 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This dinner service is made of earthenware, the cheapest of the ceramic materials to fire, and the decoration is transfer-printed, the least labour-intensive method then available. However, it does have features which lift it out of the ordinary. Dresser's commitment to practicality led him to include a dip in the soup plates to help in scooping up the last spoonful. The plates of this service had indents in the rims for condiments. The vegetable dish is of a strongly geometric form, typical of Dresser's design style.
People
Dresser was a trained botanist and perhaps the most radical and prolific of 19th-century designers. He was often described as a 'pioneer of modern design' and promoted quality, machine production and new materials. His interest in and commitment to commercial design meant that he actively sought opportunities to design for inexpensive mass production.
Design & Designing
Dresser's designs for the Old Hall Earthenware Company were first registered in 1884. This service was registered in 1886. Although it was given the name 'Shanghai', the pattern has no connection at all with Chinese ornament or the east Asia. This complete irrelevance of name to pattern is common in Victorian ceramics. This same shape was also decorated with other patterns called 'Persian' and 'Hampden'.
This dinner service is made of earthenware, the cheapest of the ceramic materials to fire, and the decoration is transfer-printed, the least labour-intensive method then available. However, it does have features which lift it out of the ordinary. Dresser's commitment to practicality led him to include a dip in the soup plates to help in scooping up the last spoonful. The plates of this service had indents in the rims for condiments. The vegetable dish is of a strongly geometric form, typical of Dresser's design style.
People
Dresser was a trained botanist and perhaps the most radical and prolific of 19th-century designers. He was often described as a 'pioneer of modern design' and promoted quality, machine production and new materials. His interest in and commitment to commercial design meant that he actively sought opportunities to design for inexpensive mass production.
Design & Designing
Dresser's designs for the Old Hall Earthenware Company were first registered in 1884. This service was registered in 1886. Although it was given the name 'Shanghai', the pattern has no connection at all with Chinese ornament or the east Asia. This complete irrelevance of name to pattern is common in Victorian ceramics. This same shape was also decorated with other patterns called 'Persian' and 'Hampden'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Transfer-printed earthenware |
| Brief description | 'Shanghai' pattern vegetable dish and lid by Christopher Dresser for Old Hall pottery |
| Physical description | 'Shanghai' pattern vegetable dish and lid |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Both marked with 'Chr Dresser' facsimile signature and other marks |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
PART OF A DINNER SERVICE in the Shanghai pattern The geometric, functional shapes of this dinner service were innovative and modern in 1884. The use of earthenware and transfer-printed decoration was a cheaper alternative to painted porcelain. This reflected Dresser's belief that art should be inexpensive and accessible.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Designed by Christopher Dresser (born in Glasgow, 1834, died in Mulhouse, France, 1904); made by Old Hall Earthenware Company Ltd., Hanley, Staffordshire |
| Summary | Object Type This dinner service is made of earthenware, the cheapest of the ceramic materials to fire, and the decoration is transfer-printed, the least labour-intensive method then available. However, it does have features which lift it out of the ordinary. Dresser's commitment to practicality led him to include a dip in the soup plates to help in scooping up the last spoonful. The plates of this service had indents in the rims for condiments. The vegetable dish is of a strongly geometric form, typical of Dresser's design style. People Dresser was a trained botanist and perhaps the most radical and prolific of 19th-century designers. He was often described as a 'pioneer of modern design' and promoted quality, machine production and new materials. His interest in and commitment to commercial design meant that he actively sought opportunities to design for inexpensive mass production. Design & Designing Dresser's designs for the Old Hall Earthenware Company were first registered in 1884. This service was registered in 1886. Although it was given the name 'Shanghai', the pattern has no connection at all with Chinese ornament or the east Asia. This complete irrelevance of name to pattern is common in Victorian ceramics. This same shape was also decorated with other patterns called 'Persian' and 'Hampden'. |
| Other number | 4193 - pattern number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.121:1, 2-1999 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | January 27, 2000 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
