The Popish Plot
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
Hamme, Jan Ariens van (possibly, producer)
Copthall pottery (possibly, manufacturer)
- Materials and Techniques:
Tin-glazed earthenware with painted decoration
- Credit Line:
Given by Lady Charlotte Schreiber
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 54b, case 13
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Object Type
Although there was demand for wall tiles in 17th-century Britain, it was largely met by imports from The Netherlands. These tiles represent the start of tin-glazed wall tile production in this country. Such tiles were used in a variety of different ways. The most common use was in fireplaces, but occasionally, they seem to have been employed as skirtings, as was popular in The Netherlands. Also, tiles were increasingly used to line the walls of shops, dairies and cold baths.
People
The first English tin-glazed wall tiles comparable to contemporary Dutch products seem to have produced by Jan Ariens van Hamme. He arrived from Delft with his family and 16 workmen in 1676 and established a pottery at Vauxhall in London. A warrant allowed him to produce tiles 'after the way practised in Holland'. These tiles are possibly products of the van Hamme workshop and certainly have a strong Dutch look to them. Van Hamme made an important contribution to tile-making in England, but it was short-lived as he died in 1680.
Propaganda
The tile is one of a set depicting the 'Popish Plot', a fictitious Catholic conspiracy to kill Charles II that the Reverend Titus Oates claimed to have uncovered in 1678. The first of nine scenes, this tile is inscribed: 'The plot first hatcht at Rome by the Pope and Cardinalls &ct.'
Physical description
Tin-glaze earthenware wall tile, one of a set of nine illustrating the history of the Popish Plot (1678), in a circular medallion with formal flowers filling the corners. It is painted in blue with scene described as: 1. 'The plot first hatch at Rome by the Pope and Cardinalls &ct'.
Place of Origin
Lambeth, England (made)
Date
1679-1680 (made)
Artist/maker
Hamme, Jan Ariens van (possibly, producer)
Copthall pottery (possibly, manufacturer)
Materials and Techniques
Tin-glazed earthenware with painted decoration
Marks and inscriptions
'The plot first hatcht at Rome / by the Pope and Cardinalls / &ct'
Dimensions
Height: 12.5 cm, Width: 12.5 cm, Depth: 0.8 cm
Object history note
Given by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, 1885.
Copied from the engraved designs on playing cards illustrating the "Plot". See references.
Descriptive line
Delftware. 'The Popish Plot' tile, one of nine tiles relating to the Titus Oates conspiracy, possibly made in the factory of Jan Ariens van Hamme, London ca. 1679.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
F.M. O'Donoghue, comp. Catalogue of the Collection of Plyaing Cards bequeathed to the British Museum by Lady Charlotte Schreiber. London: Longmans & co., 1901, Nos. 57, 58 & 59.
Schreiber, Charlotte, Lady, and A.W. Franks. Playing cards of various ages and countries, selected from the collection of Lady Charlotte Schreiber. London: J. Murray, 1812-1895. Vol. 1 to Vol. 3.
Labels and date
British Galleries:
These are among the first delftware wall tiles made in Britain. The maker of these tiles saw the Popish Plot as a commercial opportunity. He copied the images on the playing cards (displayed above) onto earthenware tiles. People used tiles to decorate fireplaces, or kitchens and clearly did not think such places unsuitable to commemorate political events. [27/03/2003]
Production Note
Possibly made in the London factory of Jan Ariens van Hamme
Materials
Earthenware; Tin glaze; Cobalt blue
Techniques
Painted; Glazed
Subjects depicted
Propaganda; Politics; Catholicism; Church and state; Popes; Cardinals (prelates)
Categories
Ceramics; Royalty; Religion; Tiles; Earthenware; Politics; Propaganda; Delftware
Collection code
CER
