Plate thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 123

Plate

ca. 1855 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Painted majolica plaques and vases were part of a range of Renaissance-inspired wares produced by Minton during the 19th century. These imitate Italian painted tin-glazed earthenwares (known as maiolica), but only rarely did they reproduce designs precisely. On this example, a Renaissance-style portrait of Queen Victoria is surrounded by 'grotesque' ornament. One of a pair, this plaque is an ambitious and technically accomplished object, and indeed, the two were displayed by Minton at the Paris Exhibition of 1855. The second plaque, depicting the Empress Eugénie, is now in the Swiss Cottage, Osborne House, Isle of Wight.

People
This plaque was painted by Thomas Kirkby (1824-1890), who was born in Trentham in Staffordshire. Kirkby was employed by Mintons from 1841, and was said to have painted the first piece of majolica produced by the firm. He certainly played an important role the production of the wares. These portrait plaques, made after designs by Silas Rice, clearly demonstrate his accomplishment as a pottery painter.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware, painted in imitation of maiolica
Brief description
Majolica plate with portrait of Queen Victoria, earthenware painted by Thomas Kirkby in enamel colours, made by Minton & Co., England, about 1855
Physical description
Earthenware painted in enamel colours in the style of maiolica, and consciously imitates the older style with grotesques and a profile bust of Queen Victoria.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 63cm
  • Depth: 6.3cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 04/09/2000 by Terry NB: this has been estimated by Terry - case only due to opened near to reinstallation - needs handlers.
Gallery label
British Galleries: Queen Victoria made a state visit to Paris in 1855 and visited the International Exhibition. Minton displayed this plaque there as an example of their new majolica ware, which imitated Italian Renaissance maiolica (tin-glazed earthenware).(27/03/2003)
Object history
In 1855, at the time it was collecting Italian Renaissance maiolica, the Museum purchased this contemporary dish from the Paris Exhibition. It consciously imitates the older style with grotesques and a profile bust of Queen Victoria.

Painted by Thomas Kirkby (born in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, 1824, died in 1890); made by Minton & Co., Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Object Type
Painted majolica plaques and vases were part of a range of Renaissance-inspired wares produced by Minton during the 19th century. These imitate Italian painted tin-glazed earthenwares (known as maiolica), but only rarely did they reproduce designs precisely. On this example, a Renaissance-style portrait of Queen Victoria is surrounded by 'grotesque' ornament. One of a pair, this plaque is an ambitious and technically accomplished object, and indeed, the two were displayed by Minton at the Paris Exhibition of 1855. The second plaque, depicting the Empress Eugénie, is now in the Swiss Cottage, Osborne House, Isle of Wight.

People
This plaque was painted by Thomas Kirkby (1824-1890), who was born in Trentham in Staffordshire. Kirkby was employed by Mintons from 1841, and was said to have painted the first piece of majolica produced by the firm. He certainly played an important role the production of the wares. These portrait plaques, made after designs by Silas Rice, clearly demonstrate his accomplishment as a pottery painter.
Bibliographic reference
Starcky, Emmanuel, Napoleon III et la reine Victoria: une visite à l’Exposition universelle de 1855, Paris: Réunion des musées nationaux, 2008.
Collection
Accession number
3340-1856

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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