Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 125b

Plate

1850-1864 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This plate comes from a service specifically for fish, or from a larger service in which each set of plates was decorated with the food appropriate for a particular course. This is a comparatively inexpensive plate in earthenware, decorated by transfer-printing only, with no hand-colouring.

Design & Designing
This plate recalls the characteristic design used for char-pots, containers used for serving potted char (a Lake District trout), which were made of English delftware, pearlware or creamware and had the image of a fish modelled on the lid. Although this plate is from a comparatively little-known factory, the quality of print is sharp and accurate and the fish is clearly identifiable as a herring. The print was presumably taken from one of the many anthologies of natural history published during the mid- and late 19th century.

Time
Close & Co. of Church Street, Stoke-on-Trent, was apparently in operation for only a short period , from around 1855 to around 1864 or 1869. The owner was John Theophilus Close, who is also recorded as at Brook Street and High Street. Many 19th-century factories were short-lived as markets and fortunes fluctuated, and the names of many makers have been lost.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware, transfer-printed in black enamel
Brief description
Plate of earthenware, transfer-printed in black enamel with an image of fish, Close & Co., Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, 1850-1864
Physical description
Plate of earthenware, transfer-printed in black enamel with a fish in the middle and a border of roses and scrolls round the rim.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.3cm
  • Diameter: 23cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 24/08/2000 by Terry
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Close & Co. Late Wm Adams & Sons Stoke-upon-Trent' (Impressed)
  • 'S' (Painted in black)
Gallery label
  • British Galleries: Plates, dishes and tureens were often decorated with images of fish and game. The designs of wild birds and fish were very popular and illustrated the kinds of foods they presented on the dishes.(27/03/2003)
  • Plate Made by Close & Co., Stoke-on-Trent, 1855-64 Mark: "CLOSE & CO LATE W M ADAMS & SONS STOKE UPON TRENT", impressed Lead-glazed earthenware C.2561-1901 Jermyn Street Collection(23/05/2008)
Credit line
Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street
Object history
Manufactured by Close & Co., Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Jermyn Street Collection.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Object Type
This plate comes from a service specifically for fish, or from a larger service in which each set of plates was decorated with the food appropriate for a particular course. This is a comparatively inexpensive plate in earthenware, decorated by transfer-printing only, with no hand-colouring.

Design & Designing
This plate recalls the characteristic design used for char-pots, containers used for serving potted char (a Lake District trout), which were made of English delftware, pearlware or creamware and had the image of a fish modelled on the lid. Although this plate is from a comparatively little-known factory, the quality of print is sharp and accurate and the fish is clearly identifiable as a herring. The print was presumably taken from one of the many anthologies of natural history published during the mid- and late 19th century.

Time
Close & Co. of Church Street, Stoke-on-Trent, was apparently in operation for only a short period , from around 1855 to around 1864 or 1869. The owner was John Theophilus Close, who is also recorded as at Brook Street and High Street. Many 19th-century factories were short-lived as markets and fortunes fluctuated, and the names of many makers have been lost.
Collection
Accession number
2561-1901

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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